Arsenal: The 5 players that can save the Gunners millions
2. Gabriel Martinelli
It is unlikely that either Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette will be a part of the Arteta project. Both could leave as early as this season, and with Lacazette the younger at 29, it would be surprising if they remained as key players for the next three or four years. Upon their departures, whenever that may be, Arsenal will need to find goals.
Gabriel Martinelli has displayed the same type of knack for finding goalscoring chances as Aubameyang. At just 18, his movement off the ball is sensational. He has an innate sense of space in the penalty area, knows how to lose his marker, and his clinical in front of goal. He also, as David Luiz has highlighted repeatedly this season, has a deeply engrained determination to be the very best.
The Brazilian has been sensational in his first season in English football and he seems set to take on the mantle as Arsenal’s next great goalscorer. Whether that comes as a centre-forward or out wide, if Martinelli can take on either role as a long-term, regular starter, the Gunners will be running to the bank.