Arsenal’s reported interest in Vinicius Jnr has excited the Arsenal fan base but it’s a complicated deal to make that could theoretically go to deadline day.
Arteta and Berta have just drafted in Christos Tzolis to replace Leandro Trossard on the left flank and on paper, at this moment in time, you would naturally consider him a starter based on his figures.
Problems on the left flank –
The inconsistency out on the left flank was a major concern last term and neither Trossard or Martinelli could cement their place in the side.
Trossard delivered more but only just with 6 goals and 6 assists in 31 appearances in the Premier League in 2025-26 but a number of those goals determined the eventual outcome of the Premier League title.
None was more important than the late strike against West Ham United in a narrow and hard fought 1-0 win back in May.
However due to his age he was likely to be one of the first saleable players out of the door to grease the wheels for incoming players and at €20 million (£17.1m) it was a decent return.
Looking at the perfomances of Tzolis and Martinelli –
At Club Brugge Tzolis played 52 matches with a return of 22 goals 29 assists compared to Martinelli’s 1 goal and 6 assists in 30 premier league 30 appearances.
This highlights exactly why Tzolis is required but with Arsenal’s reported interest in Vinicius Jnr there are concerns that if an agreement can be reached before deadline day with Madrid, Martinelli may well be offloaded.
Martinelli’s potential unfulfilled-
For all the promise that came with the young Brazilian on his transfer in 2019, he hasn’t really blossomed and reached his full potential.
It has to be said that his role at Arsenal in recent seasons has been as much about defence as it is has been attack.
In terms of work rate and defensive contributions he has delivered but where it counts, in the final third, he hasn’t met the targets or lived up to expectations.
This means we have relied on others to provide the goals but in fairness Arsenal haven’t assisted him by preferring to patiently playing out from the back instead employing route one.
It’s not all down to the team –
Martinelli hasn’t made the necessary adjustments to his game to encourage the manager to persist with him exclusively on the left.
He didn’t take his opportunity when entrusted in the main strikers role and hasn’t shown enough to anchor down the flank.
Looking forward –
So if, by some miracle, Vinicius Jnr came to the Emirates and Tzolis makes the predicted impact Martinelli may well become third choice and no Arsenal fan wants that.
It will also be interesting to see if Arsenal’s playing style changes this season with or without Vini Jnr.
Last term was about maintaining their points advantage and pushing for the title.
As Champions this term we may see a variation but one fully expects that Martinelli will be sold this season or next.
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