Arsenal are stacked in almost all areas of the pitch after a summer of lavish spending, but they could still potentially benefit from another option for the left-wing as they eye AC Milan star Rafael Leao.
Mikel Arteta's attacking line has looked strong this season, especially with the additions of Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres, but questions remain over the depth and certainty at left-wing.
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Gabriel Martinelli, who is currently out injured, has made a real impact from the bench as Arsenal's super-sub this season, though doubts remain over the Brazilian's long-term future.
Arsenal's unbeaten run in all competitions since defeat to Liverpool
Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 1-1 Man City
Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal
Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Arsenal 2-0 Brighton
His contract expires in 2027 and there have been no reports of a potential extension, despite Andrea Berta moving to tie down the likes of Gabriel, William Saliba, Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and actively talking to Bukayo Saka about a new long-term contract.
Leandro Trossard, who's also contributed towards Arsenal's brilliant run and scored the winner away to Fulham, presents some uncertainty too.
Like Martinelli, the 30-year-old's contract runs out in 2027, with Trossard signing a new and improved deal recently which didn't include an extension.
Eze can play on the left-wing when required, as he has done multiple times already this season in the Premier League, with the England international deployed there in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Brighton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
This frees up space for teenage sensations Max Dowman - who became Arsenal's youngest ever starter against the Seagulls - and Ethan Nwaneri to play more centrally.
First start player opponent competition age
Oct 2025 Max Dowman Brighton League Cup 15 years 302 days
Sep 2024 Jack Porter Bolton League Cup 16 years 72 days
Oct 2003 Cesc Fàbregas Rotherham League Cup 16 years 177 days
Sep 2008 Jack Wilshere Sheff United League Cup 16 years 266 days
While there is a case to be made that signing another left-winger could hinder Dowman and Nwaneri's pathway to regular first team minutes, Berta must also think about shoring up the position with outside talent, as Martinelli and Trossard near the exit door.
Rafael Leao's stance on joining Arsenal as Berta eyes left-wing upgrade
According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal's sporting director is doing just that, and they're real fans of Leao.
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The Portugal international has scored four goals in six games already this season, despite missing the opening of Milan's campaign with a calf injury.
The Rossoneri are contenders for this year's Serie A title after a fine start to 25/26, losing just one league game so far, and Leao will be key to their charge as Milan look to topple Antonio Conte's Napoli.
The £108,000-per-week forward, who has a £132 million release clause in his deal, will cost a premium for any English side in January, but Arsenal view Leao as the "ideal left-wing upgrade".
They're also encouraged by his stance on a potential move to north London, as it is believed that Leao is "very open" to talks if a Premier League side formally approaches.
AC Milan's Rafael Leao before the match
AC Milan's Rafael Leao before the match
While Leao loves Milan and is happy in his current surroundings, he's "ready to listen" to a potential offer from England, as the Premier League holds great appeal to him.
The 26-year-old, who bagged 16 goal contributions for Milan in the top flight alone last year, was also their second-best player by average behind Christian Pulisic in 2024/2025 (WhoScored).
Leao completed more successful take-ons per 90 than any other player in Milan's squad that campaign (WhoScored), so the appeal to Arsenal is obvious, but the question is just how much Berta would be willing to invest.
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