Arsenal are a club who are finally heading in the right direction under manager Mikel Arteta, after multiple years of finishing as runners-up in the Premier League.
The Spaniard has led the Gunners to the summit of the division, with his side in the driver's seat to secure their first English top-flight title in a little over two decades.
His side have only lost two league games to date, which has no doubt been as a result of the huge backing he received from the hierarchy during the summer window.
Mikel Arteta manager of Arsenal applauds the fans
Over £255m was spent on new additions, which resulted in various areas of the first-team squad being massively improved ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
However, despite the recent investment in North London, the board could hand Arteta more funds in the winter window to try and complete his squad at the Emirates.
Arsenal burst into the race to land £87m sensation
The left-wing position is one area of the pitch that Arsenal have craved reinforcements in recent weeks, with Bradley Barcola just one option being considered by the hierarchy.
The Frenchman, who currently plays for French side Ligue 1, is one of Europe’s biggest talents, as seen by his tally of seven goals in his first 16 league games this campaign.
PSG winger Bradley Barcola
However, despite the reported interest in his signature this month, his current side don’t want to part ways with the 23-year-old at any point in the near future.
Barcola isn’t the only option currently in the Gunners’ sights before the January window slams shut, with RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande another star the Gunners are targeting.
According to Sky Sports Germany's Florian Plettenberg, Arsenal are just one of a number of clubs who are currently targeting a move for the Ivorian international who’s already netted six Bundesliga goals.
He also states that they aren’t alone in the hunt for the 19-year-old’s signature at present, with Aston Villa, Manchester City and Manchester United all keen on a deal.
Yan Diomande for RB Leipzig
However, any deal would be yet another huge statement of intent, with the German outfit demanding a reported €100m (£87m) to offload their star attacker.
Why Diomande would be an upgrade on Martinelli for Arsenal
Over the last couple of months, Arsenal have lacked quality off the left-hand side of the attack, with Gabriel Martinelli often sharing the role with Belgian Leandro Trossard.
Martinelli-Arsenal-warmup
The Brazilian, in particular, has struggled to reach the heights he’s set for himself, as seen by his tally of just one league goal in his first 17 outings of 2025/26.
He’s now on a 13-game goalless run in such a competition, which has led to the 24-year-old being the subject of huge criticism from the Gunners faithful.
His last league start came in the 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest, but he was withdrawn at the break by Arteta - subsequently highlighting the lack of faith shown in him by the manager.
As a result, he’s often fallen behind Trossard in the pecking order, which could certainly open the door to a big-money move to land Diomande in the weeks ahead.
yan-diomande-ivory-coast
There’s no denying that £87m would be yet another statement of intent from the board, but a move for the 19-year-old could solve the club’s issues in such an area for at least the next decade.
However, when comparing his stats to those of the Brazilian, it’s evident that Arsenal would be landing a serious upgrade who could lead them to countless trophies in the years ahead.
Diomande, who’s been dubbed “generational” by Bence Bocsak, has posted more combined goals and assists this season, whilst posting a higher shot on target accuracy rate.
Such numbers showcase his cutting edge in the final third, something which Martinelli has come under huge scrutiny for over the last couple of months.
How Diomande & Martinelli compare in 2025/26
Statistics (per 90)
Games played
Goals & assists
Shot on target accuracy
Shots on target
Chances created
Successful dribbles
Dribble success
Successful crosses
Stats via FotMob
The Ivorian has also completed more of the dribbles he’s attempted per 90, whilst also achieving a better dribble success rate - often able to glide past the opposition with ease.
However, such an asset is all well and good, but a player of his quality desperately needs to add the end product - but it’s something Diomande has done in abundance.
He’s completed more of his attempted crosses than Martinelli to date, whilst also managing to create more chances for his teammates per 90 this campaign.
All the numbers highlight why the youngster is already a bigger talent than the Brazilian, with the club desperately needing to make the Ivorian’s signature a priority.
RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande in action with 1. FC Magdeburg's Alexander Nollenberger
If not, they could risk losing out on him to one of a number of divisional rivals, which could see the Gunners be on the receiving end of his quality in the years ahead.
As for Martinelli, any deal for the RB Leipzig star would no doubt push him closer to the exit door, but ultimately, it could be a decision that could allow the club to reach the next level in the near future.
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The incredible signing could end up becoming a huge star for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal.