Gabriel Martinelli Arsenal transfer truth as Mikel Arteta Liverpool decision will speak volumes

From starting 25 Premier League games as the first-choice left-winger to being one of four now competing for the same spot, Gabriel Martinelli has had a tough summer. Coming off the back of his second most productive season at Arsenal, he is now in a fierce battle for minutes.

Martinelli is now likely to be behind Eberechi Eze after his transfer from Crystal Palace was announced on Saturday. Noni Madueke has mainly been used on his side as well, although Bukayo Saka's injury may well open up his preferred right flank.

Should Madueke get the nod behind Saka as expected then Martinelli would still face serious competition from Eze and Leandro Trossard. The latter has just penned a new contract at Arsenal and came off the bench against Leeds United over the weekend.

Whether that is an indication of Martinelli's position in the squad or not will wait to be seen. When Arsenal go to Liverpool on Sunday the picture will become clearer.

Saka is likely to be out of that match with injury, leaving Madueke the right, whilst Eze will have had a full week of training with his new teammates. Mikel Arteta could throw the 27-year-old in at Anfield as he looks to add attacking spark to the team.

Although Arsenal did put five past Leeds, three of those came from set pieces (two corners and one penalty) meaning it is just two open play goals out of seven in the first two weeks. Arteta is unlikely to be too bothered by where the goals come from as long as they continue to flow, but boosting threat from live situations is a must if Arsenal are to progress on multiple fronts.

Martinelli has been one player criticised for his lack of form, hence the club dipping into the transfer market not once but twice for players able to operate in his position over the window. Madueke is primarily a right winger but is more than capable of offering cover and competition on the left, where Martinelli almost only ever plays.

Interest from Saudi Arabia has mooted throughout 2025 but the Brazilian remains part of Arsenal's plans, football.london understands. There is no intention to let him leave.

Martinelli himself is keen to keep playing at the highest level, especially in a World Cup year. He has a point to prove with Real Madrid's Rodrygo one of the many names he is up against as an option for national team boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Earlier this year he was included ahead of Rodrygo, who has the added benefit of having worked with Ancelotti at Madrid. If Martinelli was to find himself out of the frame at Arsenal then things could change.

As a 24-year-old with 162 Premier League appearances (118 starts), over 10,000 minutes, and an impressive 40 goals and 20 assists in that time, Martinelli is a player of value. Given Arsenal's need for sales, especially if they are to purchase Piero Hincapie, then a sizeable bid for Martinelli would have to be considered.

Although Jakub Kiwior's exit remains the most obvious route to make room for Hincapie, Andrea Berta is aware of Arsenal's poor track record for selling. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains the most expensive sale at £40million and the current market would suggest Martinelli can recoup Arsenal at least as much if not considerably more than that.

The question is now just how much Martinelli is going to play with Eze set to take on an important role from the outset. If Saturday's substitute decision is anything to go by then he may well find it hard to get close to the 2,200 minutes he managed last season.

In fact, since making his breakthrough under Arteta in 2021, Martinelli has played 1,800, 2,700, 2,000, and, 2,200 league minutes, featuring in between 33 and 36 separate matches. In total, there are 3,420 available for the left-winger but that now has to be split between at least three players rather than just two (Martinelli and Trossard).

Arteta could have chosen Trossard on Saturday in order to protect Martinelli from further injury worries having already seen his two main creative players go off. Or, he could be preparing Trossard ahead of Martinelli because he is in favour and is viewed as being the more suitable alternative.

Only time will now tell. You can never say never when it comes to transfers, although at this stage there is nothing in the works.

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