Gabriel Martinelli’s situation has started to generate doubts within the club, and with the summer transfer window approaching, Arsenal are already starting to make moves. Mikel Arteta does not want to wait until the last minute to strengthen his squad. Although Martinelli has been a key player in previous seasons, his recent performances have not been up to standard, and that has led to some uncertainty regarding his immediate future.
The board of directors are looking for strong alternatives, with an attacking profile and a competitive nature. The priority is to maintain a high level of quality in the left side of the attack. In this context, a name that is not alien to the club’s radar is making headway: Rafael Leao.
As reported by _[Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/arsenal-working-on-signing-serie-a-star-after-gabriel-martinelli-sold/)_, Arsenal will step up their interest in the AC Milan winger if Martinelli ends up leaving in the next window. Mick Brown, former head of scouting at Manchester United and Blackburn, claimed that the Portuguese player fits the profile Arteta has in mind.
The information indicates that scouts have been monitoring the Portuguese since before the start of the current season. Furthermore, Arsenal have already ruled out options such as Kingsley Coman and Leroy Sané, prioritising other profiles closer to the style Arteta wants to implement. In this context, Leao has become a serious target for the north Londoners.
From a tactical point of view, Leao would offer Arsenal something they have been lacking this year: pure quality from the wing. He has dribbling, power and a natural ability to take on defenders, which could unsettle low blocks that have been a stumbling block for the Gunners this season. His ability to play either on the left or through the centre would allow more freedom for players like Bukayo Saka or Kai Havertz. In addition, Leao’s arrival could also raise the internal demand within the squad, something Arteta values highly. Competition in the position has been uneven, and the inclusion of a profile like Leao would force everyone to raise their level.
On the other hand, the thought of Martinelli’s possible departure also raises an interesting prospect. Is it really time to let him go? At 23 years of age, he still has room to grow, and a discreet season does not erase everything he has contributed. However, if the management believes Leao can offer an immediate leap in quality, the decision begins to take logical shape. Financing an operation of that magnitude would mean letting go of an asset like Martinelli, but if the collective performance improves, the sacrifice would have sporting justification.
There is also a more institutional aspect. Signing a player with an international pedigree like Leao would send a clear message: Arsenal are not content to compete, they want to dominate. It would be a statement of ambition that could have an impact on both the dressing room and the environment. Ultimately, if Arteta can integrate Leao without upsetting the balance of the squad, the move would make a lot of sense. The key will be to close the deal without losing depth in other areas of the pitch.