Arsenal target ‘akin to Gabriel Martinelli’ could be more useful than Trossard

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Arsenal have been strongly linked with a move for Wolves winger Pedro Neto in the January transfer window.

Neto, 23, has had a hugely impressive start to the season after coming back from a long-term injury, and the Portugal International is on Arsenal’s radar.

Despite having a lot of options on the wing, Mikel Arteta is seemingly keen to add Neto to the squad, with his blistering pace and dribbling skills perhaps offering extra quality depth on both wings.

Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka are the undisputed starters on each wing, with Leandro Trossard, Reiss Nelson, Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe all capable of playing wide.

Neto could offer more than Trossard

Given that Arsenal have plenty of options, it seems that Arteta is targeting Neto as he can offer more than Trossard in terms of adding speed on both wings.

Trossard has been a strong performer since his arrival last January, and his versatility has seen him play across the front three and in midfield. However, he is rarely trusted on the right, and on the left, Gunnerblog’s James McNicholas has claimed that he does not offer the same pace as Martinelli.

“He can also play as a left-winger in a way that is more akin to Gabriel Martinelli than someone like Leandro Trossard, for example,” he stated on the Arsecast Extra Podcast.

Does Arteta trust his options enough?

Both Trossard and Nelson have delivered strong performances from the right side when given the chance, but Arteta has been reluctant to rest Saka at all, and with the England star absent against Manchester City, he moved Jesus to the right instead of turning to his other wing options.

This may explain why he wants Neto, if he sees him as someone who can add more quality as a squad option, but should he join, it would seem likely that one of Trossard or Nelson would eventually have to depart.

If the current options, who are already struggling for game time, see another winger join, it may raise questions about their place in the squad. Whilst this might be rather ruthless, Neto’s ability to add extra speed makes him better cover for Martinelli than Trossard.