Andrea Berta might’ve already made his biggest mistake as Arsenal’s sporting director

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Andrea Berta has had an exemplary first transfer window at Arsenal, but one mistake could prove to be so costly.

Arsenal have never been renowned for working proactively in the transfer market, but things have changed since Berta replaced Edu Gaspar.

The Gunners’ sporting director has taken Arsenal’s summer spending to over £250m, welcoming eight players, including Piero Hincapie’s deadline day transfer.

Arsenal fans have been blown away by Berta and how the Italian has worked throughout the summer; however, one failed move could be one the North Londoners live to regret.

• READ MORE: Arsenal’s £171m FFP-busting masterplan as Piero Hincapie poised for loan-to-buy deal

Arsenal should’ve replaced Gabriel Martinelli this summer

Arsenal aren’t very good at selling players, with the club’s record transfer sale still being Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s £35m move to Liverpool.

After the lessons that the 2024/25 season taught the Gunners, it was clear that there was an opportunity to smash the club-record sale by offloading Gabriel Martinelli.

While the Brazilian is an incredibly popular figure at Arsenal, Martinelli’s decline has been devastating since the 2022/23 campaign.

Sadly, there have been no signs of improvement from the 24-year-old, which could’ve, and perhaps should’ve, led Arsenal to cash in while a high market value was there. 

It would’ve been paramount for Arsenal to sign a left-wing replacement, of course, which was possible, but now, the sale of Martinelli looks impossible to pull off, which could be hugely detrimental in the future.

Martinelli’s market value is dropping, and given his poor start to the season and his below-par 2023/24 and 2024/25 campaigns, it’s fair to say that his value could continue to fall.

This could particularly happen as Arteta has shown he’s not afraid to drop the winger, especially as Arsenal have improved their squad depth with the attacking signings of Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke.

Martinelli’s sale has been discussed at Arsenal, who plan to keep the Brazil international around for another season and revisit the situation next summer, which could be a huge error.

Reports have linked Martinelli to Saudi Arabia, with Arsenal valuing the forward at £70m, a fee that seems hard to imagine the club securing in the future if his form continues. 

Unlikely that Andrea Berta will get this transfer opportunity again

Three games into the 2025/26 season, and it’s become clear that Martinelli is replaceable, with Arteta not playing the winger at all on matchday two against Leeds United.

Martinelli’s decline is being noticed, and having not had a good season since 2022/23, the risk Arsenal are taking by keeping hold of the 24-year-old is significant. 

The situation could represent the last time for a long time that Arsenal have the opportunity to smash their record sale on a player who isn’t a guaranteed starter.

Transfermarkt data notes that Martinelli’s market value has already fallen by €30m in less than two years, revealing the gamble Berta is taking by not cashing in while stocks are high. 

Has the ship to earn a sensational profit on Martinelli sailed? Alarmingly, Arsenal will only find out as the season progresses.