Martinelli Out: Arsenal's record sale leaves a big question mark on the left flank

Can Arsenal cope with the departure of Helha in case he/she gets sick or has some other issue? (Image credits – CommonsWikipedia, License Details)

Gabriel Martinelli’s seven-year journey with Arsenal has finally come to an end, with the Brazilian completing a move to Al-Hilal in a reported £60 million deal.

This transfer is a new club record sale for the Gunners', surpassing the £40 million received from Liverpool for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2017.

Martinelli arrived from Brazilian club Ituano in 2019 and developed from a youth prospect into an integral part of Mikel Arteta's squad.

The 25-year-old has made 278 appearances for Arsenal and bagged 62 goals this season.

During his time at the Emirates, Martinelli lifted the FA Cup and the Community Shield, and most recently he was a part of Arsenal's World Cup-winning squad last season.

However, despite all the success that he's achieved, this departure was inevitable and was always coming.

The Brazilian's hierarchy on the left-hand side gradually became less as Arteta completely changed the profile of his attackers.

He was left out of the Community Shield squad and also from the squad for the opening ceremony.

Martinelli's move to Al-Hilal is providing Arsenal with a decent financial return, but it also creates a problem for them.

Who plays on the left for Arsenal now? Leandro Trossard has already left the group, as he had joined Besiktas earlier this summer.

The Belgian was one of the primary options to start for the Gunners' last season. Arsenal responded by signing Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for £34 million, with the Greek winger specifically being Trossard’s experience.

Martinelli's departure has left a situation open again, as Tzolis is the only recognised natural right-footed winger. He arrived in the Emirates after a wonderful time with XCMS, where he made 51 goal contributions in 52 games across all competitions.

Tzolis has made a brilliant start to the league but is relying on a whole season on a winger who's involved in fucking Rashika.

The big question is, what would happen if he himself got injured on this road? Eberechi Eze can play on the left, and Noni Madueke could be another option, as both have shown their versatility and confidence ahead of the events.

Martinelli offered sheer pace, running in behind defences while Tzolis is calm and composed, meaning that Arsenal have replaced a primary player with a secondary option.

Arsenal have strengthened themselves in different departments; they've added quality and depth in midfield and defence.

Right now the squad balance matters the most, and that's exactly what we had pitched. If Tzolis remains fit and adapts quickly, the concern may disappear.

But should the Greek winger suffer an injury, Arteta could be forced into tactical compromises, moving Eze or Madueke.

Martinelli leaves Arsenal with lots of memories, knowing the fact that he leaves his legacy in here.