Arsenal Outcasts Martinelli and Jesus Target Serie A Moves North London 2026

Key Points

• Arsenal forwards Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus have not been called up for the Gunners’ Premier League opening match against Coventry City.
• Inter Milan are exploring a deal for Martinelli after the Brazilian winger was offered to the club by his representatives, Roc Nation.
• Napoli hold a strong interest in Gabriel Jesus, with the forward featuring prominently on their transfer target list.
• Both Italian clubs must sell current squad members to fund the prospective transfers, with Inter evaluating sales of Ange-Yoan Bonny or Luis Henrique, and Napoli seeking to offload Noa Lang or Lorenzo Lucca.
• Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged the difficulty of squad decisions, confirming that player departures may be required before the transfer window closes.

Arsenal (North London News) August 21, 2026 – Arsenal outcasts Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus have been linked with Inter Milan and Napoli, respectively, but both Serie A clubs must free up space to sign the Gunners’ attackers. Neither player has been called up for Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Coventry City this evening, further underlining their uncertain futures at the North London club.

As reported by Football Italia, both Serie A sides find themselves in identical financial positions, requiring squad clearance and capital generation before committing to formal bids for the Brazilian international duo.

What conditions must Napoli fulfil to secure Gabriel Jesus?

According to reporting from Italian publication Corriere dello Sport, Gabriel Jesus remains a primary target on Napoli’s transfer agenda. However, the Partenopei are currently unable to finalise an official approach without first sanctioning the departure of existing attacking assets.

The Italian outlet indicates that Napoli must sell either winger Noa Lang or forward Lorenzo Lucca to facilitate the move. Turkish club Trabzonspor have reportedly shown interest in Lucca, but Napoli are still waiting for a formal bid to materialise before progressing with negotiations for Jesus.

How can Inter Milan finance a move for Gabriel Martinelli?

As detailed by Tuttosport, Gabriel Martinelli has been offered to Inter Milan by his agency, Roc Nation. The agency also represents Inter player Luis Henrique, who has attracted interest from Serie A rivals Roma.

Inter management are reported to be intrigued by the prospect of signing Martinelli to add one-on-one dynamism to their frontline. However, Tuttosport highlights that Inter must significantly increase their transfer budget through player sales. A potential departure of Luis Henrique or forward Ange-Yoan Bonny—who is currently valued by Inter at €40 million and sought by Fiorentina—would provide the necessary capital to finance a move for the 25-year-old Arsenal winger.

What has Mikel Arteta said regarding squad selection and player exits?

Speaking ahead of Friday’s league opener against Coventry City, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta addressed the difficult choices surrounding player omissions and squad composition.

As reported by the Straits Times, Arteta stated:

“It’s a really, really tough moment… but you have to face it with a real honesty and transparency. We all know everything has a start and an end. When it ends, our job and duty is to do it in the best possible way, with respect and admiration for the player and the relationship.”

Arteta also stressed the importance of squad depth while balancing player availability following injury issues during the previous campaign.

Background of the particular development

Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus have both played key roles in Arsenal’s recent resurgence under Mikel Arteta, but positional changes and squad rotation have gradually restricted their starting opportunities.

Martinelli, who joined Arsenal from Ituano in 2019, previously signed a long-term contract extension following a prolific 2022–23 campaign. However, tactical adjustments and competition on the left flank have seen his minutes reduced over recent months. He previously rejected an approach from Turkish club Galatasaray, preferring to remain at the Emirates Stadium or hold out for a top-tier European league destination.

Gabriel Jesus arrived from Manchester City in July 2022 for a reported fee of £45 million. While his initial impact was significant, recurring knee and muscular injuries hampered his continuity during the 2024–25 and 2025–26 seasons. With Arsenal continuously bolstering their attacking options in recent transfer windows, both players now find themselves outside Arteta’s primary matchday selection, leading to active transfer inquiries from top Italian clubs ahead of the deadline.

Prediction: How this development can affect Arsenal supporters and the squad

Should these transfers materialise, the exit of Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus will directly impact Arsenal supporters, tactical options, and the broader squad dynamic.

For the matchday squad, departing with two senior Brazil internationals removes significant depth in the frontline. Arsenal fans may feel a sense of nostalgia given both players’ key contributions to the club’s return to UEFA Champions League football; however, their sales would generate significant transfer funds and relief on the wage bill. This financial flexibility would allow Arteta and the Arsenal board to reinvest in alternative defensive or midfield targets before the transfer deadline closes.

For the Serie A clubs and their respective fanbases, acquiring players of Martinelli and Jesus’s caliber represents a significant statement of intent. For Napoli and Inter Milan supporters, the successful completion of these domino-effect transfers depends entirely on outgoing player sales, meaning both Italian clubs face a race against time to execute their domestic transfers before finalizing deals with Arsenal.