Pep Guardiola just sanctioned an exit at Manchester City that might be food for thought for Mikel Arteta.
Arteta has taken a lot of inspiration from Guardiola throughout his career, having worked alongside the Man City manager at the Etihad.
Now, it could be said that Arteta will be eager to learn from one of his idols’ transfer mistakes.
City are notoriously strong on the transfer front, but when it comes to the case of Jack Grealish, Guardiola’s side are likely to see their £100m paid trickle down the drain.
Jack Grealish’s loan to Everton is a warning to Arsenal about Gabriel Martinelli
Grealish is on his way to Everton to spend the 2025/26 season on loan with David Moyes on Merseyside.
The move is a fantastic one for the winger and the Toffees, as last season was damning for the England international.
Though it’s positive for Grealish, it’s concerning for City, who paid £100m for the forward in 2021, with the 29-year-old’s career trajectory something Arsenal should take note of.
There are comparisons to Grealish’s downfall and the issue Arsenal currently have with Gabriel Martinelli.
The pair are, quite simply, two wingers who possess electrifying talent and have fallen short of the mark due to systematic demands.
Arteta’s and Guardiola’s styles are very rigid, limiting how freely wide players can explore, something that has clearly impacted both Martinelli and Grealish.
While some thrive, others lose their way, and having seen where Grealish’s decline has led him, Arteta must spare a thought for his handling of Martinelli.
In January, Guardiola commented on his player’s decline, admitting he was yearning to see the form Grealish showed in 2022/23.
“Do I want the Jack that won the treble? Yeah, I want it, but I try to be honest with myself.”
Though Arteta has never spoken out about the Brazilian’s dip in form, the Spaniard surely has similar wishes to Guardiola, as Arsenal haven’t seen enough from Martinelli since his sublime 2022/23 campaign.
While Arsenal continue to hope that Martinelli will turn things around, City have given the Gunners a glimpse of what can happen to flagging talent when competition comes in.
Competition arrived, limiting Grealish’s starts to seven in the Premier League last season, putting the Manchester club in a position where a £100m asset is in sink-or-swim mode.
Arsenal won’t be selling Martinelli
Grealish’s market value was listed by Transfermarkt as being at €75m after City’s treble-winning season, a figure that has since plummeted to €28m.
Martinelli’s stocks have followed a similar trajectory, going from €80m in the summer of 2023 to €55m now.
Unlike the issue City have with Grealish, Arsenal have some leeway with Martinelli, which makes the club’s final transfer decision this summer understandable.
Arsenal will not sell Martinelli this summer, but will monitor his progress over the campaign, hoping that things do turn around for the Brazilian.
It’s a dire shame that the situation has arisen, but given how talented the 24-year-old is, there’s enough hope to fuel optimism.
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