Gabriel Martinelli issues honest Arsenal verdict after €300m summer spend

Cameron Smith

• 22 Sept 2025 12:15 BST
• 4 min read

News

Gabriel Martinelli has admitted that he will not settle for a substitute role at Arsenal, despite the club’s decision to sign three new forwards this summer.

The Brazil international, who has only started two games from a possible six so far this term, netted a stoppage time equaliser against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon, while he also scored off the bench during Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Athletic Club in midweek.

Current ETV

Gabriel Martinelli

F, M (L)

Arsenal

Gabriel Martinelli

F, M (L)

Arsenal

€51.8M

ETV Range

€46.6M - €57M

View full profile

However, Martinelli has confirmed that he isn’t content with being an impact substitute for Mikel Arteta.

“I work for those moments. I leave [selection] for the gaffer, he knows what he does. I just do my best to help this football club,” the Arsenal star told BBC Match of the Day (via TBR Football).

“Of course, I don’t want to be on the bench. I want to play 90 minutes every single game but Arteta knows what he does, he’s the gaffer and everyone trusts him. We’re really happy with him.”

Martinelli added: “We play for Arsenal, we know how big this club is and we try our best in the games to win football matches. We didn’t want to draw but, in the end, we did.”

Gabriel Martinelli to leave Arsenal?

Martinelli was named in the starting XI on 25 occasions in the Premier League last campaign, however he has fallen down the pecking order in recent weeks following the summer signings of Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke.

Leandro Trossard was also favoured ahead of the 24-year-old versus Man City and rumours have suggested that he could be sold by Arsenal next summer amid reported interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia.

Bayern Munich were also linked with a move for the Brazilian earlier this year, however their interest has died down following their decision to sign Liverpool winger Luis Diaz in August.

Martinelli only has two years remaining on his Arsenal contract, but although he is no longer Arteta’s preferred starting option on the left flank, his performances over the past week prove he is still an integral member of the Gunners’ squad.

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