Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have had to fight hard to be Mikel Arteta’s first choice as Arsenal’s left-sided attacker for the 2025-26 season.
The former Brighton & Hove Albion forward started 21 of his 31 Premier League games and was frequently in the spotlight for the Belgium international.
In those games, Trossard scored six goals and provided six assists for the Gunners, helping them win the Premier League title, marking a solid return to form for the winger, albeit with a low profile.
Martinelli, on the other hand, only started 11 games in the top flight for Arsenal last season, scoring once against Manchester City and providing four assists in 30 appearances.
But the Brazil international has now scored 11 goals in all competitions for the Gunners, thanks to six goals in the Champions League and four in the FA Cup.
Arsenal’s top target is Premier League star
Trossard and Martinelli both provided quality moments for the team and were helpful in their own ways, but neither was able to nail down their positions or show exceptional consistency.
The club are now reportedly considering players with both players likely to struggle for minutes on the pitch next season.
Aston Villa forward Morgan Rodgers is Arsenal’s priority target to strengthen their options in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
“For Arsenal, the number one target remains Morgan Rodgers. If we can reach an agreement with Aston Villa, we will sign Morgan Rodgers,” he said on his YouTube channel.
“If that’s not possible then[Bradley]Barcola could be an option. But at the moment I feel Morgan Rodgers is the most serious candidate to be Mikel Arteta’s new winger because Arsenal are making good progress on the player side.”
It is now up to the Gunners to strike a deal with the Villans for the England international, who is valued at a staggering £130m by his current club.
What this means for Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard
Martinelli and Trossard received a fair amount of playing time throughout the 2025/26 season as there were no obvious options guaranteed to start every game.
But Rodgers’ arrival would mean Arsenal now have a player who can start every game at the right time, with the likes of William Saliba, Gabriel and Declan Rice flourishing in their respective positions.
His performances for Aston Villa in the Premier League last season suggest he could join Arteta’s team as his best left-wing option due to his quality and consistency in the final third.
25/26 Premier League | rogers | Martinelli + Trossard |
|---|---|---|
Appearance | 37 | 61 |
xG | 6.78 | 9.47 |
the goal | 10 | 7 |
missed a big opportunity | 4 | 15 |
A big opportunity has arisen | 13 | 12 |
assist | 6 | 10 |
Rodgers scored more goals and created more “big chances” himself than Trossard and Martinelli combined in the top flight last season. This is some accomplishment considering they both played on title-winning teams.
The England international’s form is no short-lived, either, as he scored eight goals and provided 10 assists in the Premier League for Villa in 2024-25, with 14 goals and 13 assists in all competitions.
Rodgers has scored double digits in both goals and assists in both of the last two seasons, and has reached double digit goals for three seasons in a row, which speaks to his consistency at the top end of the pitch.
The versatile star, who can play on the left or as a number 10, has a proven track record in the Premier League and could arrive at the Emirates as an instant asset for Arteta, which may be why he has emerged as a top target.
Arsenal are therefore set to sign the England star for £130m this summer, leaving their current two left-sided options in a difficult position as they face the prospect of a lack of game time next season.
Turkish side Besiktas have agreed a deal for Trossard for a transfer fee of £17m, while Newcastle United are said to be eyeing a move for Martinelli this summer, meaning both sides have the option of moving from north London.
That’s why the Rodgers deal could spell the end for Martinelli, Trossard, or both if they decide to pursue playing time elsewhere.
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