Arsenal have turned their focus to selling players, with a list of stars set to be let go in the coming week.
Five players are free to leave Arsenal this summer as Andrea Berta prepares to orchestrate exits.
The most likely player to move on first is Jakub Kiwior, who could join Porto on an initial loan that includes an obligation to buy.
In terms of high-profile exits, departures are unlikely; however, that doesn’t mean that the idea hasn’t been spoken about.
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Could Gabriel Martinelli leave Arsenal this summer?
One player who has been placed under the microscope by fans this summer is Gabriel Martinelli.
Arsenal want to keep hold of Martinelli for at least another season to see if the Brazilian can rediscover his past form.
Since the 2022/23 season, the winger’s levels have dipped quite considerably, and now, Arsenal’s squad depth has improved.
Martinelli could find himself on the bench more this season, but the new arrivals haven’t swayed the club’s or the player’s stance on a possible exit.
Speaking on the Highbury Squad podcast, transfer expert Ben Jacobs spoke about the interest the 24-year-old is getting from Saudi Arabia.
“The Saudi market for Saudi Pro League clubs closes on the 7th of September, so there is a possibility,” Jacobs said.
“Saudi clubs are definitely still looking for stars, but I wouldn’t want to get people over excited about either signing Martinelli or those that think it’s going to sort of offset the window a little bit financially because, at the moment, I don’t have any clear indication that Gabriel Martinelli is necessarily looking to move this late in the window.”
Jacobs doubted that Martinelli would leave Arsenal and head to Saudi Arabia this summer and doubled down by suggesting that the player isn’t open to a move either.
“Of course, it can be a fluid situation, but I don’t think there’s anything major to report at the moment.
“It’s all quiet on the Martinelli front, and I think we have to be respectful to Martinelli and maybe his own stability now the season has started and understand whether this is going to be a story.”
Crucial season for Martinelli
With the Brazilian looking likely to stay put, the 24-year-old will get his head down to have a strong season at Arsenal.
There’s already been a prompt for the forward to improve, as Arteta didn’t use Martinelli from the bench in a Premier League match for the first time in eight months.
While the task is clear for the winger, things won’t be easy, as, besides Martinelli’s form noticeably dipping, Arsenal have bolstered their options in attack.
The arrival of Eberechi Eze, in particular, might alert the Brazil international, as it’s a real possibility that the 27-year-old becomes Arteta’s go-to option on the left.
Pressure is on for Martinelli to get back to the level we all saw from him three seasons ago.
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