Mikel Arteta might already be delighted with the work of new Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta since his arrival in north London.
Arsenal have signed Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea and the Spaniard’s arrival is just the start for the Gunners, who aim to significantly improve their squad on more than one front.
Initially it seems as if Berta will focus on providing Arteta with more squad depth next season, hence why Arsenal have agreed to sign Christian Norgaard from Brentford.
Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera wants to join Arsenal as well, and all three additions could prove invaluable for Arteta across a long season.
Once those deals are in place, it then seems as if Arsenal will chase two or three exceptional attacking talents to lift the level of Arteta’s starting eleven.
Rodrygo will only sign for Arsenal if they are able to sell Gabriel Martinelli
That being said, reliable journalist David Ornstein has just shared an interesting update in this regard on The Athletic FC Podcast.
Arsenal are interested in Real Madrid’s Rodrygo this summer and other top left wingers dotted around Europe.
However, Ornstein believes that Arsenal would only sign a box-office left winger if Gabriel Martinelli was to leave, contrary to what a lot of fans in N5 were hoping to hear.
Ornstein explained: “Arsenal are spinning multiple plates and working on the various positions.
“We know the number nine is the priority for them and then they’ve always wanted to strengthen on the left wing but they’ve got Gabriel Martinelli, a very fine player there already.
“If he was to leave, then you could see them maybe bringing in a top left-sided winger.
“If he’s not to leave, then I don’t think so. We’ve talked and reported on the likes of Rodrygo and Anthony Gordon. I think that’s if Martinelli leaves. I don’t necessarily think that that’s if he was to stay.
Rodrygo Goes celebrating after scoring a goal for Real Madrid against Real Sociedad
Photo by Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
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“Whereas you could look at somebody like Noni Madueke who could come in and be that back up to Saka on the right. He could be an option on the left potentially even if Martinelli stayed.
“And then you’ve got they’re looking at things inside, the likes of Eze, it’s been well reported, and Morgan Rogers, and there are loads of names. James [McNicholas] listed them in the deal sheet this week, so I’m not putting any order on them.
“But we do know that Eze is high among them for that 8-10 role, which is separate to the striker, the left, the right.”
Arsenal would regret selling Martinelli this summer
Of course, the question will then be — should Arsenal sell Martinelli to make room for an upgrade?
The 24-year-old Brazilian is a hugely popular figure at the Emirates, meaning any departure could be quite controversial.
However, it’s hard to argue against the idea that Martinelli’s progress has somewhat stagnated at Arsenal.
Season Games Goals Assists
2021/22 36 6 6
2022/23 46 15 7
2023/24 44 8 5
2024/25 51 10 6
Martinelli’s record in his last four seasons at Arsenal.
And on the flip side of things, Rodrygo is unhappy at Real Madrid and it’s not too often that a player of his quality is potentially available, and a fee of £75m doesn’t look too unreasonable either.
TBR Football recently shared that Martinelli was considering his Arsenal future amid strong interest from Bayern Munich.
And were Berta to make the winger available, there would undoubtedly be a ton of interest in his signature.
But if Arsenal want to upgrade their squad to actually start winning trophies next season then it should be Leandro Trossard who’s let go, not Martinelli, who still has plenty of excellent years ahead.