Mikel Arteta has another major Arsenal transfer decision approaching, and Gabriel Martinelli has an immediate opportunity to influence it against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday.
Martinelli is expected to play at least 45 minutes as Arsenal return to the Emirates for the first time since winning the Premier League title.
The Brazilian only recently returned from his post-World Cup break, but Sunday’s Emirates Cup meeting provides an important chance to regain sharpness before competitive football begins.
ReadArsenal reported on Friday that Martinelli had returned to Arteta’s group ahead of the Dortmund game.
His performance could carry significance beyond pre-season fitness.
🚨 There are several suitors for Gabriel Martinelli. Roma & Juventus are understood to be among a number of Serie A clubs who hold an interest, while Fenerbahce are also monitoring events, according to CBS Sports sources. Martinelli, however, will NOT rush any move. 🕵️♂️🇧🇷… pic.twitter.com/4DH4XWkQ96
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 4, 2026
Martinelli’s future has remained under scrutiny throughout the summer.
A reported £60million valuation has previously been placed on the winger, while interest has emerged from clubs across Europe.
That creates a difficult decision for Arsenal.
Selling Martinelli at anything close to that figure could provide Andrea Berta with substantial funds to pursue another elite attacker. Keeping him, however, would preserve one of the squad’s few forwards capable of threatening opponents with genuine pace in behind.
Flashscore has previously reported the £60m figure while examining Martinelli’s position in Arteta’s squad.
Arsenal are still looking at their attacking options.
Sky Sports reported earlier this summer that signing a top-level left winger was a major focus for Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta.
Missing out on several ambitious targets has not removed the underlying question.
Does Arsenal’s current left side provide enough?
Dortmund gives Martinelli perfect opportunity
That is why Sunday matters for Martinelli.
The Standard expects the 25-year-old to play at least half of the game as Arteta continues to manage the return of his World Cup players.
Borussia Dortmund should provide the sort of opposition against which Martinelli can demonstrate his greatest strengths.
Their willingness to press and defend higher up the pitch could leave space for him to attack behind the back line, rather than repeatedly receiving the ball against a deep defensive block.
Martinelli remains one of Arsenal’s most dangerous transition players when given those opportunities.
He also has increased competition.
Christos Tzolis has arrived this summer, while Eberechi Eze can operate from the left when required. Arsenal have also continued to explore further attacking additions.
ReadArsenal reported on Saturday that Arsenal have revisited their interest in Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz, demonstrating that the search has not stopped.
Arteta therefore has two decisions intertwined.
He must decide whether Martinelli remains capable of being Arsenal’s long-term first choice on the left. If not, he must determine whether selling him and reinvesting the money makes the team stronger.
One pre-season game will not settle either question.
A sharp performance against Dortmund could still remind Arteta exactly what Arsenal would be giving up.
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