Pain in the Arsenal
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Where do 10 of Arsenal’s young stars fit next season?

By Mitch Peotter

Arsenal's Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli (R) is replaced by Arsenal's English midfielder Emile Smith Rowe (2L) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 13, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli (R) is replaced by Arsenal's English midfielder Emile Smith Rowe (2L) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 13, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Transfer rumour season is in full swing following the conclusion of the 2021/22 campaign and Arsenal must do some business to improve the squad.

A new number nine seems very likely with reinforcements in midfield and at full-back seemingly on the horizon as well.

This article, however, will focus inward on the current squad.

Where do 10 of Arsenal’s young stars fit next season?

While some players like Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard have very set roles in the team for next season there are a few young players for the Gunners that have a bit of ambiguity regarding their role in the squad that we will try and break down here.

Gabriel Martinelli

Arsenal, Gabi
Gabriel Martinelli will wear the number 11 shirt next season. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

The Brazilian enjoyed a really solid bounce-back campaign after an injury-hit 2020/21 season. Gabi was deployed mostly on the left flank last term and added an interesting contrast to Emile Smith Rowe in that role.

There have been ongoing discussions within the fanbase for some time now regarding Martinelli’s best role: Is he a relentless striker, or an exuberant winger? The club’s aim to bring in perhaps two new centre forwards this summer suggests that his immediate future, at least, remains in a wide position.

However, excitement is starting to build over a potential homecoming for Serge Gnabry despite the absence of concrete links. If Arsenal were to pull off a miracle and bring in a player of Gnabry’s ilk this summer, I fear that this could curtail Martinelli’s development when he could have a huge jump up in production next season as the club’s number 11.

Continued on the next slide…