Arsenal's transfer business has without a doubt taken a step in the right direction over recent years. The £27m splashed on Gabriel Magalhães and £30m spent on Martin Odegaard are both proving to be absolute steals. However, the best of the bunch may well be the £6m masterstroke that led to Gabriel Martinelli's arrival.
Joining from Brazilian club Ituano in 2019, the player arrived as a bit of an unknown. Despite this, it soon became clear why the Gunners were so keen on securing his signature before anyone else could.
Possessing flair, energy, skill, pace and confidence, Martinelli has blossomed into one of the club's finest young talents. The journey certainly hasn't been an easy one, with the Brazilian enduring struggles with injury and a lack of game time in patches, but his incredible mentality has ensured he's become better because of it.
READ MORE: Gabriel Martinelli tells Mikel Arteta what he must do to secure his long-term Arsenal future
Nine goal contributions, as well as a number of Man of the Match and Player of the Month awards, have not only seen Martinelli take up a key role in Mikel Arteta's squad this season, but the 20-year-old is also establishing himself in Tite's Brazil national team.
Although Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe join Martinelli in the wide attacking areas of the team, it is set to become even stronger this summer. football.london understands Arteta and technical director Edu want to sign two forwards ahead of next season, with Chelsea's Armando Broja being monitored.
Meanwhile, Voetbal International reports Arsenal are 'in pole position' to land PSV Eindhoven winger Cody Gakpo and enquiries for Leeds' Raphinha have also been made according to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
A space could be opened up by Nicolas Pepe, who has been unable to get regular minutes recently due to the performances of the aforementioned Gunners trio. The Ivorian has struggled to live up to the expectations which came with his £72m price tag and eight starts this season could be a sign that it's the beginning of the end for him in north London.
No matter which wide forward is signed this summer, if any, they must be prepared for a battle. Martinelli has proven that he has what it takes to be a regular starter each week, as have Saka and Smith Rowe. There are certain positions within the current Arsenal squad where not enough competition exists, but the wing is not one of them.
Martinelli has finally stamped down his place for club and country, so he will be fully aware that someone else could upset his stability. It will only increase his determination to continue proving himself that he should be the main man on the left-hand side of Arsenal's frontline moving forwards.
Arteta has worked incredibly hard to create a more positive atmosphere at London Colney while ensuring healthy competition is keeping his players on their toes, so he will be desperate to keep those intact once a new face arrives in a few months' time.
