Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli has a very uncertain future at the Emirates if he does not improve.
Martinelli was urged to step up last season by Arsenal legend Sol Campbell, who echoed the view of many fans.
Though the Brazilian produced some memorable moments over the 2024/25 campaign, consistency just wasn’t there.
Unfortunately, the same can be said about the season prior, with fans noticing that Martinelli’s progression has stalled.
Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty ImagesSteve Nicol puts Rodrygo and Luis Diaz ahead of Gabriel Martinelli
Martinelli has been linked with a shock exit this summer, but there’s been nothing to suggest that the 24-year-old will actually depart.
Whether the Brazil international leaves or not remains unclear, but what has been spoken about is Arsenal signing competition for him.
The Gunners have already signed Noni Madueke to do such, with other names being linked with a move to the Emirates.
Arsenal could sign Rodrygo for a reduced price of £70m this summer, and some think that the Real Madrid maestro would be a stark upgrade on Martinelli.
Speaking on the ESPN FC Podcast, pundit Steve Nicol was involved in a game of ‘start, bench, sell’, with the options being Rodrygo, Martinelli and Luis Diaz.
“Well, I’m going to go Luis Diaz, Rodrygo and Martinelli,” Nicol said.
The former Liverpool player then clarified that he would start Diaz, bench Rodrygo and sell Martinelli.
“Yeah, Rodrigo, for me, has done some good things, but I don’t think he’s consistently been at a certain level.
“Gabriel Martinelli’s had one great season at Arsenal and then hasn’t quite reached those heights again.
“So I think Luis Diaz has been way more consistent at a high level, which is why I put him first.”
Even Arsenal fans wouldn’t complain about Nicol’s feedback, as even Martinelli’s biggest followers couldn’t deny the slip in standard the winger has suffered.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty ImagesMartinelli hasn’t been the same since 2022/23
The 2022/23 season was a memorable one for Arsenal, who announced their status as challengers for the Premier League title.
It was also one to savour for Martinelli, who scored 15 Premier League goals, writing himself into history as the joint-highest scoring Brazilian in a single season.
SeasonAppearancesGoalsAssists2022/23361562023/2435642024/253384Gabriel Martinelli in the Premier League since 2022/23
Sadly, Arsenal fans are still yearning for that version of Martinelli, as the 24-year-old hasn’t hit double figures in the Premier League since.
The hope that Martinelli didn’t peak in 2022/23 is slowly drifting away, as Arteta’s left-winger can’t seem to prove that he’s on his way back towards such heights.