Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli sits at a crossroads in his career at the Emirates Stadium.
He has been a great servant to the club, but has endured another subpar season in terms of end product.
The 24-year-old has bagged one goal and three assists in 25 league appearances for Arsenal this term.
While Martinelli’s Champions League output is much better, the season has been generally ununderwhelming.
Martinelli has failed to kick on at Arsenal despite earning the trust of manager Mikel Arteta. He has not matured into the consistently devastating winger many people expected him to become.
With two years left on his contract and increased competition for his starting berth on the left wing, is it time for the Gunners to cash in on the talented attacker?
Martinelli’s time at Arsenal
Martinelli joined Arsenal in 2019 from the Brazilian football’s fourth tier for around £6 million and has been a brilliant signing.
He enjoyed a memorable debut campaign before his productivity dipped. However, he bounced back in 2022/23 with his best season in an Arsenal shirt.
Martinelli tallied 15 goals and six assists in 36 Premier League appearances, helping the Gunners challenge Manchester City for the title.
He was a constantly electric presence on the left flank, especially on the counter-attack, where his speed terrifies defenders.
Unfortunately, Martinelli has not continued that form. He has remained a key player for Arteta but failed to show consistency or world-class output.
For his own good, a move to a new environment could revitalise his career.
Where will Martinelli fit in if he leaves North London?
Martinelli will have his pick of clubs if he leaves Arsenal this summer. The 20-cap Brazilian international still has years ahead of him.
AC Milan are reportedly preparing to sell Rafael Leao and will be scouring the market for replacements. Martinelli makes sense as a target.
Serie A is notably slower and allows a speedster such as Martinelli to thrive in the right tactical set-up.
Massimiliano Allegri has used Leao as a hybrid striker-winger, which works perfectly for Martinelli, who fits the profile.
Borussia Dortmund are another option. The German side needs firepower and creativity, with Julian Brandt poised to leave this summer.
A three-pronged attack of Martinelli, Serhou Guirassy and Karim Adeyemi could challenge Bayern Munich for the Meisterschale next season if BVB gets all the other crucial pieces in place.
Aston Villa were previously linked with the winger and might rekindle their interest if he is available.
Should Arsenal cash in on Martinelli?
For all the noise around a potential exit, selling Martinelli now would feel premature and, frankly, short-sighted.
Arsenal need an upgrade on the left flank if they are to bridge the gap at the very top, but that does not have to come at Martinelli’s expense.
There is still a raw, game-breaking quality to his profile that cannot be easily replaced.
His directness, recovery runs and ability to stretch defences remain vital to Mikel Arteta’s system, even when the numbers fall short.
He is not a finished product, but neither is he a lost cause.
If Arsenal are to reshape their attack, Leandro Trossard is the more logical departure. He is older, offers less physical upside, and represents a shorter-term solution.
Meanwhile, Eberechi Eze, who has sometimes played on the left wing, naturally gravitates towards central areas rather than operating as a touchline winger.
Crucially, the market is not overflowing with reliable, elite left-wing replacements. Selling Martinelli without is a gamble the Gunners do not need to take.
Improve the position, yes. But moving on from Martinelli risks creating a bigger problem than it solves.
