Major changes looming at Arsenal: Six players, including Martinelli, could depart

Arteta’s radical plan: wage structure and attacking revamp

Arsenal are gearing up for an intense 2025 summer transfer window in terms of squad engineering. According to The Times, manager Mikel Arteta is considering significant changes to rebalance the wage structure and reshape the attacking line. Gabriel Martinelli, one of the team’s most emblematic figures, is now reportedly under consideration for sale.

Martinelli’s rise: a low-cost, high-return investment

Gabriel Martinelli was signed from Brazil’s Ituano in the summer of 2019 for €7.1 million. Initially seen as a modest investment, the move quickly paid off as Martinelli became a key figure on the left wing. He reached the peak of his career during the 2022/23 season, scoring 15 goals in the Premier League and carrying a significant share of the team’s attacking output.

Decline in form and the system’s impact

However, he failed to maintain this trajectory during the 2024/25 season. Across all competitions, Martinelli made 51 appearances, scoring 10 goals and providing 6 assists. While not a poor statistical return, it clearly marked a decline from his previous output. The decline reflects not just a dip in personal form, but also tactical shifts and a changing role within Arteta’s system.

Lack of a central striker left Martinelli overshadowed

One of the main reasons for Martinelli’s dip in performance was Gabriel Jesus’ absence from the false nine role. Without Jesus, Martinelli lost his edge around the penalty area. According to The Times, Arsenal are planning significant reinforcements in attack this summer. Benjamin Šeško is at the top of this list, while Viktor Gyökeres is considered an alternative. Such a tactical realignment may reshape how inside-forwards are deployed—placing Martinelli’s role under renewed scrutiny.

Departure list expands: six names under consideration

According to The Times, other players reportedly on the transfer list include Oleksandr Zinchenko, Reiss Nelson, Jakub Kiwior, Fabio Vieira, and Albert Sambi Lokonga. The Times notes that despite spending the season on loan at FC Porto, Vieira is unlikely to see his buy option activated. Lokonga, on the other hand, was loaned to Sevilla but is no longer part of Arteta’s rotation plans—indicating both players are out of Arsenal’s long-term picture.

Even utility players like Kiwior may be offloaded

Kiwior has served as a reliable backup in both left-back and centre-back roles. However, Arsenal are aiming to generate revenue even at the cost of trimming squad depth.

Martinelli’s exit would leave questions on the wing

Should a fan-favourite like Martinelli depart, questions will arise over who fills his role. Leandro Trossard has delivered impactful performances at times but has struggled to secure a consistent place in Arteta’s preferred XI. According to The Guardian, Trossard has been “in and out of Arteta’s Premier League lineup,” starting 39 matches and coming off the bench 33 times in his Premier League career. This highlights his role more as a complementary figure rather than a regular starter.

A pivotal summer for the Arteta era

The Times reports that Arsenal’s short-term experiment last season with Raheem Sterling failed and that the club now aims to avoid similarly risky, low-yield short-term solutions.

Ultimately, Arsenal could usher in a sweeping transformation this summer not just through signings but via significant departures as well. Under Arteta’s leadership, the club faces a challenging summer, seeking tactical cohesion, financial balance, and long-term success all at once. Of all potential changes, Martinelli’s departure may carry the deepest symbolic weight.