Martinelli clause, Coutinho transfer update and Arsenal blow

The latest news round-up on Arsenal as the club continues to deal with a break away from action in the Premier League

Philippe Coutinho is tackled by Tanguy Ndombele


Here is your Arsenal morning digest for Saturday, April 11th.



‘Exclusive’ Martinelli clause key to securing Brazilian


Gabriel Martinelli was one of the steals of last summer. The 18-year-old arrived from Ituano in a £6 million move and has taken both Arsenal and the Premier League by storm.

He is the club’s second-highest goalscorer, has been heralded for his potential and talent by Mikel Arteta, David Luiz, and even Jurgen Klopp, who called him a 'talent of the century'.


On Friday, a report from The Athletic revealed how Arsenal secured Martinelli's services. On the advice of renowned scout, Francis Cagigao, the Gunners managed to carve out an exclusive four-week window in which only they could negotiate with the Brazilian. Within two weeks, they officially announced the signing.



Martinelli became an Arsenal player, despite interest from some of the best and biggest clubs around the world. The rest, as they say, is history.
Joorabchian explains Emirates appearance

Since Raul Sanllehi became Arsenal’s head of football following the exit of Ivan Gazidis and Sven Mislintat, the club have been increasingly linked with super-agents.

Fans have grown concerned with this shift in recruitment policy, with many criticising the appearance of Kia Joorabchian at the Emirates for a victory over West Ham United in March.

Joorabchian was filmed celebrating Arsenal’s victory with Sanllehi and technical director, Edu Gaspar. This led to wild speculation regarding two of his leading clients, Chelsea winger Willian, whose contract expires at the end of the season, and Philippe Coutinho, who is set to return to Barcelona in the summer with his future up in the air.

Joorabchian, however, dismissed these suggestions when asked why he made an Emirates appearance.

“The fact I'm an Arsenal supporter is not a secret,” Joorabchian told Sky Sports News. “I don't have any preference where the players go. I don't try to push someone to one club or another. Everything is a possibility.”
Camavinga race with Real Madrid

Arsenal are reportedly on the lookout for a defensive midfielder. As football.london reported earlier this year, Mikel Arteta views a box-to-box all-action central midfielder who can break up play and redistribute the ball through progressive carries and passes as a crucial need.

AS, via Sport Witness, report that 17-year-old sensation, Eduardo Camavinga, is a target of Arsenal’s this summer. The Frenchman would slot into the defensive midfield role in just the way that Arteta desires.

There is a problem, however. Arsenal are not the only team interested in Camavinga. Spurs have also been linked with a transfer, while Real Madrid are reportedly at the front of the queue. One phone call from Zinedine Zidane is said to be enough to convince Camavinga to make a Madrid switch.

Arsenal are not out of the race by any means, but they ostensibly face an uphill task to land one of the hottest teenage talents in world football.