Arsenal progressed in the FA Cup with a 2-1 win over Mansfield, but the display was rather lacking. They barely scraped past the EFL League One side on Mansfield’s own ground. Several players failed to impress, including Gabriel Martinelli. Rumours suggest the club will put him up for sale this summer. However, another player’s display has led fans to urge the Gunners’ higher-ups to sell him first.
Why Arsenal must sell This player before Gabriel Martinelli ?
Reports suggest Martinelli is a strong candidate for a sale as the board seeks to fund elite targets this summer. His future is under scrutiny due to a dip in form, highlighted by only one Premier League goal this season. Critics widely criticized his performance against Mansfield. He lost possession 16 times. He also won just two of his eight ground duels. Players like Eberechi Eze are giving tough competition to the Brazilian’s starting spot. It was Eze’s 66th-minute strike that won the match for the Gunners.
However, another Brazilian forward in the team is having his own struggles. This was most evident during the FA Cup tie where Gabriel Jesus led the football club as captain. Despite the leadership role, the fanbase widely criticized his display. As per reports, lots of fans called his display unprofessional and abysmal. He struggled significantly against lower-league defenders.
In particular, he missed a golden chance from only six yards out when the goal was wide open. Moreover, opponents dispossessed him 11 times all through the match, which annoyed the travelling fans. He recorded zero key passes and won only one out of five ground duels. This lack of composure has raised serious doubts about his long-term potential for the side.
A shadow of his former self
Gabriel Jesus is no longer the explosive player Arsenal signed with such promise in 2022. Severe injuries, notably a 2025 ACL tear and recurring knee issues, have hampered his physical capacity and clinical edge. Now the club sees him as the third-choice striker behind Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz. His high wages are getting difficult for the board to justify given his weakened role.
His decline was on full show during the FA Cup game against Mansfield Town. 16-year-old academy graduate Max Dowman outshone him. Dowman displayed amazing poise, recording four shots and six ball recoveries in the opening half-hour alone. Mikel Arteta stated: “Max, I think he was exceptional”. The contrast between the budding young talent and the club’s veteran players has become apparent.
Sell Jesus before Martinelli: Berta must act this summer
The club has to sell some major names this summer to fund future targets in the transfer market. Sporting director Andrea Berta must be brutal to evolve the squad for the future campaigns. Gabriel Jesus’s contract will expire in 2027. This gives the perfect chance to gain a significant fee before his market value goes down.
The player has recently voiced his desire for a contract extension. Yet, the club should think about his exit this summer. Fans and experts argue that the team should sell him before they even think about moving on to Gabriel Martinelli. Martinelli also faced problems in recent matches. However, the senior striker appears to be in a state of constant decline.
Jesus still draws a large market fee. Selling him now could provide the needed funds to go after elite targets in the Premier League. For instance, interest in players like Julian Alvarez would require an offer exceeding £87 million.
A tough call
The summer transfer window is on the horizon. Arsenal has to make tough calls on their squad depth. Jesus’s recent showings suggest he can no longer operate at the required level for a title challenger. By selling him now, the board can reinvest in younger, more clinical talent. Only time will tell how the Brazilian’s future is going to shape up.
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Souvik Bose
Souvik Bose is a junior football writer at Football Express, where he contributes articles focused on ongoing developments and discussions from the football world. His work involves covering news stories, key talking points, and the narratives that shape how fans engage with the sport.At Football Express, Souvik focuses on delivering football coverage that is timely, informative, and accessible to readers following the game closely. His writing reflects a deep interest in the evolving culture of football and the stories that emerge around the sport’s biggest moments.
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