Williams and Leao are very good, but I don't think either of them will significantly improve the team. Martinelli is on the same level going forward, but much better defensively and off the ball.

    Martinelli is not on the same level as Leao. Leao is one of the few wingers in the world who beats his man 6-7 times a game.

      Kel Varnsen I don't know about Williams, think he might have slightly more about him as he develops. Just a bit more awareness and intelligence in his play. Leao isn't better than Martinelli though, guys final ball is atrocious. I still don't think Williams is far enough better to warrant spending insane wages on when we have Martinelli though.

        Let’s not forget that Williams is 3 years younger than Leao (and a year younger than Martinelli). I dont think Williams is leaps and bounds better than Martinelli, which is totally fine. Martinelli SHOULD be the standard for our winger recruitment moving forward. Anyone we sign should be at his level or better to continue to progress our attack and I think Nico fits that criteria, with the added benefit that he can play on either wing. Having a utility winger that is good enough to start any game as well as add pace that no one other than Martinelli possesses in our front line is exactly what we should be adding this summer in my opinion.

        Williams has that thing. In 2-3 years, no defender will want to go up against him. A powerful ball carrier who can go outside and inside, and shoot. You don’t have a lot of these players. And he’s very affordable. We must always ask ourselves what superpowers players are adding to our frontline.

        I think generally when people say that Martinelli is better than player X they think of 22/23 Martinelli and ignore last season. The question for me is which version we'll see going forward. I'd like to sign an attacker just because I don't want to be in a situation where we're fucked if all three starters aren't at the top of their game. Let them fight for their place.

          QuincyAbeyie Smith Rowe too.

          We need known quantities in the forward positions, and the floor as well as potential ceiling of the position needs to be a tad higher. I think Arteta is going to be ruthless. He knows, we all know what we are up against and how fine the margins are. Martinelli has already basically lost his place to Trossard. He will likely be upgraded if we can afford it.

            I dont think Gabby has lost his place to Tross. I think at the end of last season he did, but that was because Gab had to work his way into his game again. He offers a different threat than Tross does, he has flat out speed that gives an outlet we don't get with Tross. I would bring in someone like Nico to compete with Gab and Saka for a wing spot without dropoff in quality. Tross will be a super sub or a starter-speller. (so to speak). Gab's year was down last season, but he's still very young and he will bounce back. But i would take someone like Nico as competition for the starter spot.

            Trossard is ahead of Martinelli for one reason only. End product. No matter how much speed you have if you're not doing something substantial with the ball, you're doku.

              Is that saying that he has reached his peak and is beginning to plateau?

              Sounds like it's becoming more of a dream with Nico having his heart set on Barca. Even if they can't sign him, I doubt Arteta will get too involved if he knows the player's eyes are elsewhere. I do like the look of Maximilian Beier as a utility forward - gives me some Muller vibes.

              I shall call him Maximum Beer.

              flobaba Martinelli has suffered primarily due to our extreme ball retention and our tinkering on the left side. He's still the same player as when he had more end product in my opinion—just a touch low on confidence and opportunity last season for these reasons.

              He's one of those who gives us purchase in matches that are more difficult territorially. A decision to jettison him would amount to a declaration we're going to continue rarely playing on the transition. Maybe in those terms it's justified but I don't think his talent or potential have truly dropped off.

              Best case scenario is he develops his game.

                Any chance we get Fabian Ruiz out of PSG? Would be perfect as our left sided 8 and might be just what we need to revitalise Martinelli.