Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has insisted that Gabriel Martinelli will not leave the club before Monday's transfer deadline.
The Gunners are set to face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday in what could be their toughest test of the season, and they will not be able to name their first-choice frontline due to Bukayo Saka's hamstring injury.
Winger Noni Madueke could take his place on the right of attack, while newcomer Eberechi Eze may be stationed on the left side of striker Viktor Gyokeres.
Forward Martinelli's inclusion in the XI is by no means certain, especially after he was left on the bench when the Londoners beat Leeds United 5-0 at the Emirates on August 23.
Despite suggestions that the Brazilian could leave before the closure of the summer transfer market on Monday, Arteta claimed that the winger is still key to his plans, telling reporters: "No [he will not leave]. Gabi has been a super important player for us and he’s going to remain very, very, very important.
“The fact that we have options with different qualities, that’s going to fulfil what we want, because every opponent is going to require different things and then the state, the moment, the way that those players are impacting the game - that competition is needed."
Martinelli has been at Arsenal since 2018-19, and he has scored 40 goals and provided 20 assists in the league in 162 top-flight games for the club.
Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli celebrates scoring on January 1, 2025
Why Mikel Arteta needs Gabriel Martinelli in the Arsenal squad
Eze predominantly played in a left-sided attacking midfield role during his time with Crystal Palace, and considering he is unlikely to take the place of Martin Odegaard, his most likely position in the team is on the left.
Martinelli has been Arteta's number one choice on that side of the pitch for some time, but it is difficult to see why Eze would have agreed to move to the Emirates unless he had assurances regarding playing time, especially as the World Cup will take place after the 2025-26 campaign.
The former Palace man is adept at operating between the lines, and he could pose more of a threat in settled play for the Gunners, something that could benefit striker Gyokeres.
Though Eze is creative, he does not possess Martinelli's pace, and the Brazilian is arguably the only true speedster within the Arsenal squad.
Martinelli will still be useful against opponents that deploy a higher defensive line as his speed would allow him to latch onto the end of passes and drag the Gunners up the pitch.
Gabriel Martinelli for Arsenal on April 1, 2025
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Saka is seen as the number one choice on the right flank, but his presence means that youngster Ethan Nwaneri is unlikely to see many minutes out wide.
While Nwaneri is comfortable operating as a number 10, teenager Max Dowman may have ambitions of featuring regularly for the Londoners over the next few years.
Eze is almost certain to be the first choice on the left moving forward, but it remains to be seen if Arteta can give enough starts to the likes of Martinelli and Madueke to keep the duo happy.
Gyokeres and Kai Havertz are expected to be used up front, though the former was bought this summer with a view to making the number nine spot his own.
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