Arsenal Eye Rodrygo for Left Wing Reinforcement

Despite fan discussions and media speculation, Arsenal`s situation regarding a new central forward is relatively clear. The club recognizes the need to bolster this position and has been in discussions with representatives for players like Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokores and their clubs throughout the summer. They will eventually commit resources to securing a new striker to add the goals missing from their attack last season.

However, completing their frontline brings more complexity. Arsenal are also targeting a wide attacker, specifically on the left flank, hoping to find someone who can replicate Bukayo Saka`s superstar impact on the right. Three years ago, Gabriel Martinelli appeared poised to be that player, leading Arsenal`s scoring charts with 15 Premier League goals in a breakout season, showing sharp finishing, linking well with Gabriel Jesus, and playing with fearlessness.

That level of performance has been seen less consistently in the two seasons since, yielding just 14 Premier League goals and eight assists. Martinelli remains an effective player, and much of his contribution isn`t captured solely by statistics. His underlying metrics, a combined 0.49 non-penalty expected goals and expected goals assisted (npxG+xAG), are respectable for a Premier League winger.

Yet, Arsenal`s aspirations are higher than most. To compete for major trophies, they may need a truly exceptional talent on the wing to complement Saka. Can Martinelli reach that level consistently, and what would increased competition for his spot mean?

Is Selling Martinelli an Option?

It`s worth noting that, according to sources, Arsenal are not actively looking to sell Martinelli. While any player has a price, potentially one even the wealthiest clubs could meet, there`s no internal pressure to offload the winger to fund other transfers.

Martinelli, at 24, certainly has admirers in the market. Bayern Munich are reported to be interested, and links to Saudi Arabia have emerged. Sources indicate Al-Nassr has internally discussed the Brazilian forward, but they have not submitted a formal proposal to Arsenal and aren`t currently preparing a bid.

Crucially, sources close to Martinelli suggest he is not prepared to consider a move to the Saudi Pro League at this stage of his career. The forward is focused on securing a place in Brazil`s squad for the 2026 World Cup, and while players from Saudi Arabia have featured for the Seleção, Martinelli believes his best chance comes from playing at the highest level in European football.

From Arsenal`s viewpoint, Martinelli remains a valuable member of Mikel Arteta`s squad, even if his goal tally has decreased. Only five other players have played more Premier League minutes for the Gunners over the past three seasons. His value was reinforced with a new contract in late 2023, tying him to the club until 2027 with an option for an additional year. At 24, his prime years could still be ahead of him.

These attributes make Martinelli attractive to other clubs. However, unless Arsenal receive an exceptionally compelling offer, their priority is likely to be adding to their wide options rather than replacing Martinelli directly. This position of strength is advantageous for the club.

Could Rodrygo be the Answer Amidst Saudi Interest?

Rodrygo, Martinelli`s Brazilian international teammate, is prominently featured among the wide attacking options Arsenal are tracking. This interest is understandable, especially as the 24-year-old appears to have become less central to Real Madrid`s plans since Xabi Alonso took charge. While there`s no clear indication yet regarding a final decision on his future from Spain or the team currently in America, if he were to consider leaving the Santiago Bernabeu, Arsenal would be strong contenders for his signature.

However, Arsenal are not the only club interested. Sources suggest that Saudi Arabian club Neom SC is preparing a substantial bid for Rodrygo. Neom, recently promoted to the Pro League, is backed by the organization behind the planned city in the country`s northwest, funded by the PIF sovereign wealth fund, which has heavily invested in the Pro League`s `Big Four` clubs over the past two years, significantly impacting the global transfer market.

It`s unclear how open Rodrygo would be to a move outside of Europe, but interest from one of Saudi Arabia`s wealthiest clubs, determined to add star power this season, could significantly inflate his price for European suitors. In a summer where Arsenal are also strengthening their defense and midfield – Christian Norgaard, Martin Zubimendi, and Kepa Arrizabalaga are close to joining, with talks ongoing for Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera – a high price for Rodrygo could force difficult decisions.

Nonetheless, securing Rodrygo could be a worthwhile investment. The young Brazilian has already demonstrated his ability to perform in crucial moments, notably against Manchester City in the 2022 Champions League semifinals. Between 2022 and 2024, Rodrygo was a dynamic attacker: taking many shots, driving the ball into dangerous areas, and creating opportunities for himself and others. His output did dip slightly last season, understandable given the influx of talent at Madrid. In Real Madrid`s recent Champions League-winning sides, Rodrygo often played the role of Robin to Vinicius Junior`s Batman. With Kylian Mbappé now joining, alongside Jude Bellingham, Arda Güler, and Franco Mastantuono, the competition for attacking places is immense.

Considering Other Options

One thing Rodrygo and Martinelli share is how their effectiveness can be influenced by the team`s tactical setup. Part of Martinelli`s high output in 2022-23, particularly before the World Cup, was due to Gabriel Jesus often drifting to the left flank, creating spaces for Martinelli to exploit. Jesus`s injuries and the development of midfielders like Granit Xhaka and later Declan Rice making runs into the box have sometimes pushed Martinelli wider, becoming more of a touchline player whose role is partly to stretch the defense and create space on the opposite side for Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.

Saka and Odegaard are undoubtedly the creative heart of Arsenal`s attack, and rightly so; their synergy is incredibly effective. When assessing potential forward signings this summer, a key question is how they will integrate with Saka and Odegaard. Can a new left winger be an off-ball threat who finishes chances created from the right side? A signing like Rodrygo raises fascinating questions about whether he would adapt to a lower-touch role like at Madrid or if his talent would shift Arsenal`s attacking emphasis.

This makes evaluating other targets for Martinelli`s position challenging. Take Eberechi Eze, whose representatives Arsenal are reported to have met with recently. A look at his per-game stats from an inside-left position suggests notably higher output than Arsenal`s No. 11: nearly 3.5 shots and 0.31 xG compared to Martinelli`s 2.15 and 0.29, and more chances created (two vs. 1.5). However, Martinelli`s diligence in defensive duties is a key strength, and Eze recovers the ball more frequently.

Martinelli also trails the raw per-game output of Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers, both linked with Arsenal. Is this difference simply a consequence of Martinelli having fewer touches? Analyzing players` contributions per 100 touches offers a different perspective on the Brazilian winger.

How Martinelli compares to Arsenal`s Premier League targets

Per 100 touches, Premier League 2024-25

Adjusting the comparison basis to per 100 touches certainly provides a different perspective on what might have seemed like a quieter year for Martinelli. He averaged around 43 touches per 90 minutes, compared to Eze`s 55 and Gordon`s 52. Rogers is closer at 44.5 touches and doesn`t necessarily offer significantly more output per game.

However, further adjustments are needed. Comparing per 100 touches doesn`t account for where those touches occur; a player like Eze is often involved in deeper build-up play before becoming a threat off-ball from the left. If we adjust to per 100 touches in the attacking third, Martinelli averages a high expected goal value. Only Eze, at 1.35, betters this, which is unsurprising given he takes more than twice as many shots as the Brazilian in that zone.

Ultimately, questions remain. Eze is the central offensive figure for a mid-table team; does that explain his high numbers, or do they truly reflect his talent for getting on the ball and creating scoring opportunities? Does Martinelli have fewer touches because he offers less security in possession and build-up than other left wingers might? Would Arsenal`s build-up play adapt to accommodate a player like Eze or Rodrygo? Rodrygo could potentially be the type of elite winger needed to propel Arsenal to the silverware they desire, but would he integrate smoothly, help Martinelli improve, or simply serve as a useful third option out wide?

These are complex questions without simple answers. Perhaps the only clear takeaway is that Arsenal already possess one very effective winger in Martinelli to play alongside Saka. Now, with Martinelli having set a high standard, they face the challenge of finding another high-quality addition to the left flank.