Mikel Arteta may have complicated Arsenal’s potential route to Victor Osimhen after casting fresh doubt over the futures of Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Martinelli.
Arsenal have already discussed Osimhen during conversations with Galatasaray concerning possible departures from north London.
ReadArsenal reported on Friday that Victor Osimhen had entered those talks, with the Turkish champions interested in both Nwaneri and Martinelli.
That created an obvious potential transfer chain.
Yet events surrounding Sunday’s Community Shield have made it considerably less straightforward.
"It's really sad. They deserve to be in the squad."
Mikel Arteta denies that Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Ethan Nwaneri are set to leave Arsenal after being left out of the matchday squad ❌
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Arsenal’s Victor Osimhen route depends on two huge exits
Martinelli and Nwaneri were both left out as Arsenal beat Manchester City 3-0 in Cardiff.
Their absence immediately fuelled speculation that both could leave before the transfer window closes, with talkSPORT reporting that their futures are expected to lie away from Arsenal.
Nwaneri’s situation in particular has accelerated.
ReadArsenal reported on Sunday that the 19-year-old is expected to leave Arsenal, with AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund among the clubs interested.
Galatasaray have also discussed the Hale End graduate.
Martinelli presents a different problem. The Turkish champions have already made a verbal offer worth around £38.5million, but the Brazilian has shown reluctance to move to Istanbul.
That matters because Galatasaray wanting Arsenal players is one of the factors which makes Osimhen discussions particularly interesting.
If neither player ultimately joins them, that negotiating route becomes considerably harder to exploit.
Arteta has now muddied the transfer picture
The team sheet initially appeared to offer a major clue over both futures.
Arteta then changed the interpretation.
ReadArsenal covered the manager’s post-match explanation on Sunday night, when he said he was “really sad” not to have Nwaneri, Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus available in his matchday squad.
Arteta instead blamed Premier League restrictions which allow only nine substitutes.
That does not guarantee either player stays.
But it makes their omissions far less convincing as evidence that transfers are already effectively decided.
That distinction could become significant for Andrea Berta.
Victor Osimhen would create another Arsenal striker problem
There is also the question of why Arsenal would add Osimhen.
Arteta already has Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz competing at centre-forward.
Havertz strengthened his position dramatically on Sunday by starting ahead of Gyokeres and scoring Arsenal’s second goal against City. ReadArsenal captured the goal as Christos Tzolis helped Arsenal take control.
Osimhen would therefore not simply fill an obvious hole.
He would alter an already crowded attacking hierarchy.
That perhaps explains why outgoing business is so important to any potential deal.
Arsenal’s 3-0 Community Shield victory underlined the depth Arteta already possesses.
Osimhen remains an extraordinary opportunity if Galatasaray are prepared to negotiate.
But after Arteta’s intervention, Arsenal’s apparent route towards him suddenly looks much less simple than it did before kick-off in Cardiff.
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