Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard had to fight it out to be Mikel Arteta‘s first-choice left-sided attacker for Arsenal in the 2025/26 campaign.
It was the Belgium international who got the nod more often than not in the Premier League, as the former Brighton & Hove Albion forward started 21 of his 31 appearances in the division.
In those matches, Trossard produced six goals and six assists for the Gunners to help them to the Premier League title, which was a solid, if unspectacular, return for the winger.
Martinelli, meanwhile, only started 11 times in the top-flight for Arsenal last season, scoring one goal, against Manchester City, and providing four assists for the team in 30 appearances.
The Brazil international, though, did hit 11 goals in all competitions for the Gunners, thanks to a return of six goals in the Champions League and four goals in the FA Cup.
Arsenal make Premier League star their top target
Trossard and Martinelli both provided moments of quality for the team and were useful in their own way, but neither of them nailed down the position and delivered exceptional consistency.
Now, the club are reportedly looking at a player who would come in and leave both players struggling for minutes on the pitch next season.
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal’s priority target to bolster their options out wide is Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers in the summer transfer window.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the reporter said: “For Arsenal, the number one target remains Morgan Rogers. If they can reach an agreement with Aston Villa, they will sign Morgan Rogers.
“If they can’t, (Bradley) Barcola could be an option. But, in this moment, I feel that Morgan Rogers is the most serious candidate to become the new winger for Mikel Arteta, because Arsenal have made good progress on the player’s side.”
It is now down to the Gunners to strike a deal with the Villans for the England international, who is said to be valued at a staggering £130m by his current club.
What this means for Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard
Both Martinelli and Trossard played their fair share of minutes across the 2025/26 campaign because there was not a standout option who was nailed on to start every game.
The arrival of Rogers, however, would mean that Arsenal have a player who can start every game when fit, in the same way that the likes of William Saliba, Gabriel, and Declan Rice do in their respective positions.
His performances for Aston Villa in the Premier League last season suggest that he would walk into the team as Arteta’s best left-sided option, due to his quality and consistency in the final third.
|
25/26 Premier League |
Rogers |
Martinelli + Trossard |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
37 |
61 |
|
xG |
6.78 |
9.47 |
|
Goals |
10 |
7 |
|
Big chances missed |
4 |
15 |
|
Big chances created |
13 |
12 |
|
Assists |
6 |
10 |
Rogers scored more goals and created more ‘big chances’ on his own than Trossard and Martinelli managed combined in the top-flight last term, which is some achievement given that they both played for the title-winners.
The England international’s form is also not a flash in the pan because he produced eight goals and ten assists in the Premier League for Villa in the 2024/25 campaign, delivering 14 goals and 13 assists in all competitions.
Rogers has recorded double figures for both goals and assists in both of the last two seasons and is on a run of three consecutive campaigns with double figures for goals, which speaks to his consistency at the top end of the pitch.
The versatile star, who can play off the left or as a number ten, is a proven Premier League performer who could arrive at The Emirates to hit the ground running as an instant star for Arteta, which may be why he has emerged as their number one target for the window.
Arsenal bringing the English star in for £130m this summer, therefore, would leave their two current 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 fee of £17m, whilst Newcastle United are said to be eyeing a move for Martinelli this summer, which means that they both have options to move on from North London.
That is why the signing of Rogers could spell the end for Martinelli or Trossard, or both of them, if they decide that they want to look for game time elsewhere.
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