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Arsenal to 'SACRIFICE' €52m star as Arteta's 'next victim' revealed
Tom Weber
- Updated: 6 Sept 2025 13:57 BST
- 4 min read
News
Gabriel Martinelli could become the next formerly important Arsenal star to be sacrificed by Mikel Arteta in the name of 'progress,' according to a report.
The Gunners have gone through several evolutions - or revolutions - since Arteta's arrival in the dugout in late 2019, with the Spaniard himself promoted from 'head coach' to 'manager' to reflect his expanded authority over the course of his almost six years at the club.
While tangible success in the form of major trophies has been found wanting, Arsenal have managed to reestablish themselves among Europe's elite, doing so with a fairly ruthless transfer policy.
Current ETV
Gabriel Martinelli
F, M (L)
Arsenal
Gabriel Martinelli
F, M (L)
Arsenal
ETV Range
€46.6M - €57M
Several players initially signed as undeniable upgrades just a few years ago have since been offloaded or become surplus to requirements, such has been the North London club's progress over the past half-decade.
As The Athletic points out, the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Aaron Ramsdale and Oleksandr Zinchenko have all been 'sacrificed at the altar of progress' despite previously being hugely important players as recently as 2023.
Arsenal to offload Martinelli next year?
The report posits that Gabriel Martinelli could be Arteta's 'next victim,' although with the caveat that Arsenal have evolved 'away from him' rather than 'beyond him.'
The Brazilian can still be a key player for Arsenal, but Arteta's new, more direct approach may not suit him, considering that this is precisely what the manager previously tried to remove from his game, almost shackling Martinelli in a way.
It is added that Arsenal would have been open to selling the 24-year-old in the summer had a suitable offer arrived. Despite interest from Bayern and Aston Villa, no bid materialised.
The Gunners didn't actively push Martinelli out, and no talks were held with his entourage about a potential departure. However, by the same token, Arsenal have so far shown no signs of wanting to extend his contract.
Martinelli's current terms expire in 2027, with a club option for a further season. In recent years, Arsenal have been incredibly proactive in extending the contracts of key players, so the fact that a new deal has not been broached is a sign that he could leave the club in the near future.
Indeed, with his output having declined over the past two seasons and with Eberechi Eze now providing competition, Martinelli could soon find himself out of Arteta's first-choice XI.
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