Arsenal's Summer Purge: Martinelli, White, and Jesus Make Way as Arteta Plots £115m Rebuild

Arsenal's path to summer spending success runs directly through the exit door. Whether Mikel Arteta is defending a Premier League crown or mounting another bid to finally break the tape, the Gunners hierarchy must shift some notable assets first.

The prospect of losing a Hale End academy product sits uncomfortably with the Emirates faithful, but the numbers don't lie—this window demands difficult decisions.

The Goalkeeping Situation

David Raya's credentials are unquestionable. His 18th clean sheet at West Ham United potentially wrapped up the title, courtesy of a crucial intervention against Mateus Fernandes. The Spanish stopper has earned his world-class billing and vindicated Arteta's gamble to replace Aaron Ramsdale.

Kepa Arrizabalaga stays put. Yes, that Carabao Cup final moment still stings, but as backup options go, he represents acceptable insurance. The caveat? He's a keeper who thrives when trusted with the gloves rather than warming them on the bench.

Tommy Setford maintains his position as third choice.

The Defensive Reckoning

Benjamin White's injury record tells its own story. Once the embodiment of defensive solidity during 2022/23 and 2023/24, he's endured setback after setback. His performance levels have dipped considerably from those earlier heights, and with Jurrien Timber sidelined, White hasn't convinced when called upon. A knock picked up against West Ham leaves his campaign in doubt and his World Cup status uncertain. Both parties benefit from a parting of ways.

Timber, by contrast, represents a step above. His one-on-one defending, aerial dominance, and attacking contributions mark him as elite. Consistency flows through his veins.

William Saliba stands as untouchable. His Champions League semi-final displays against Atlético Madrid proved his mettle, and he's on an upward trajectory while Gabriel Magalhaes remains in his prime—not declining, just perhaps peaked. That five-year extension signed last September underscores his centrality to the project. Madrid will come calling eventually, and Arsenal will command a world-record fee when they do. Not this summer, though.

Gabriel Magalhaes? Irreplaceable. A demon in both boxes who cannot be replicated.

Piero Hincapié's loan should become permanent for a reported €52million. After struggling initially, the Ecuadorian has emerged as Arsenal's standout performer since March.

Cristhian Mosquera remains a brilliant prospect going nowhere. Riccardo Calafiori gets one more season to prove his fitness credentials before Real Madrid's interest becomes relevant again.

Myles Lewis-Skelly presents a dilemma. His sale would generate pure profit useful for Profit and Sustainability calculations, yet losing a young English talent with world-class potential would enrage supporters and make little footballing sense.

Midfield Movements

Martin Zubimendi's early-season indispensability has faded as Lewis-Skelly's emergence pushed him toward the periphery. The schedule and Spain duties have visibly drained him, yet selling the £51million midfielder would be premature folly. This is merely his first English campaign.

Christian Norgaard, conversely, deserves regular football. A useful squad player starved of opportunities, he's the type to be regretted come November if he departs.

Declan Rice stays. Obviously.

Mikel Merino remains. At 29 and integral to Spain's setup, homesickness seems unlikely.

Martin Ódegaard has been rather disappointing for two years, but his West Ham substitute appearance—complete with the assist for the potential title-clincher—proved valuable. A substantial offer would warrant consideration, though none materializes.

The Forward Line Shake-Up

Gabriel Martinelli must go. He hasn't scaled the heights of his 2022/23 campaign when he netted 15 Premier League goals. Leandro Trossard has been solid but doesn't represent the elite left-wing solution Arsenal craves. Bayern Munich circled last summer; they'll likely return if Arsenal move for Newcastle's Anthony Gordon, who's also attracted Gunners interest.

The fee? Expect around £40million—a fraction of what might have commanded double that years ago. With his contract expiring next year (extendable to 2028), this represents the optimal moment to cash in and finally acquire that world-class left-sided forward the club desperately needs. Arsenal's notorious struggles in the transfer market make optimism difficult.

Trossard, meanwhile, has been dreadful through 2026 until May's revival. His West Ham goal, should the title materialize, becomes folklore. Football fans are fickle creatures.

Gabriel Jesus cannot remain. The conversation ends there. Unless injury intervenes before June, his departure is non-negotiable.

Fabio Vieira departs, likely to Hamburg permanently following six Bundesliga goals and five assists. If that deal collapses, Arsenal should still move the Portuguese playmaker on.

Eberechi Eze stays despite a first season of fluctuating form. One campaign insufficient grounds for sale.

Kai Havertz represents useful depth—disappointing perhaps for a £60million investment, but useful nonetheless.

Ethan Nwaneri faces uncertainty. His Marseille loan started promisingly but deteriorated, with work-rate concerns and limited minutes. Arsenal fans won't accept his departure easily, yet his pecking order has slipped behind Max Dowman. Either he or Lewis-Skelly gets sacrificed; ideally, neither should be.

Reiss Nelson finally needs a proper fresh start after the academy pipeline produced Wilshere, then Fabregas, then Saka, then Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, and Dowman. Nelson remains the anomaly.

Bukayo Saka remains. Obviously.

Noni Madueke stays. Arteta will die on this hill regardless of supporter frustration. There's a player in there.

Viktor Gyokeres improves weekly, with teammates now regularly finding him. Keep and watch him flourish in 2026/27.

The Bottom Line

Three departures—Martinelli, White, Jesus—generate approximately £115million in combined revenue. It's the painful but necessary medicine required for Arsenal's summer ambitions.