Arsenal fans demand player is sold after AC Milan friendly and all call for same replacement signing

Arsenal played a pre-season friendly match against AC Milan on Wednesday. The game took place at the Singapore National Stadium. Bukayo Saka scored the only goal of the match. Arsenal won the game 1-0. New signings Christian Norgaard, Martin Zubimendi, and Kepa Arrizabalaga all made their first appearances for the club. The fans were excited to see the new players in action. But the attention quickly turned to one long-serving Arsenal player. Gabriel Martinelli did not impress the fans with his performance. He started the game on the left wing and was substituted at half-time. Leandro Trossard replaced him.

Many Arsenal fans expressed frustration with Martinelli. Some were angry. Some were disappointed. Many of them went on social media to complain. One fan posted on X that Arsenal should submit a bid for Rafael Leao at half-time. Another fan wrote that Martinelli looked the same as last season. Some fans said Arsenal badly need an upgrade on the left wing. One person even joked that Martinelli and Leao should swap shirts at half-time.

Rafael Leao played for AC Milan in the same match. He was used in a central role rather than on the wing. Leao has been linked with Arsenal in the past. But it doesn’t seem like the club is pursuing him this summer. That did not stop fans from calling for his signing. Many believe Leao would be a perfect replacement for Martinelli. They see Leao as more direct, more composed, and more effective.

Martinelli has been with Arsenal for years. He has made over 200 appearances. He has had good moments. He has shown promise. But fans think he is inconsistent. They feel he lacks sharpness in the final third. Against Milan, he wasted possession and chances. That was enough for many fans to lose patience. They don’t want to see him in the starting lineup anymore. Some even want him sold. The calls for a new left winger grew stronger after this game.

Despite the focus on Martinelli, there was good news for Arsenal. They are close to signing Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP. Negotiations have been going on for a while. At first, the two clubs could not agree on the payment structure. Sporting president Frederico Varandas wanted a big portion of the add-ons paid early. Arsenal disagreed. But eventually, both sides found a middle ground. Arsenal will pay £55 million up front. If certain performance goals are met, the total could rise to around £64 million. This is seen as a good deal for both sides.

Gyokeres is a striker. He will bring more power and finishing ability to Arsenal’s attack. He had an impressive season in Portugal. He was also linked with other big clubs. But now he’s close to joining Arsenal. His arrival is expected to be announced soon. This is giving fans some hope. They want more attacking options. They want more goals. But they also want more consistency from the current squad.

Arsenal’s pre-season continues. They will play Newcastle in Singapore on Sunday. Then they will face their North London rivals Tottenham. That game will take place in Hong Kong at the Kai Tak Sports Park. After that, they will play Villarreal and Athletic Club at home. These games will be played at the Emirates Stadium. The new season starts on August 17. Arsenal will face Manchester United at Old Trafford. It will be a tough game. Arsenal will want to start strong.

Mikel Arteta has a lot to think about. The team is still finding rhythm. New signings need time to adjust. Some positions still need strengthening. The left wing is now a big topic. Martinelli has support from the coach. But fans are losing trust. They want change. They want a player like Leao. Someone who can take on defenders. Someone who can score and create. Someone with more impact in big games.

Some fans feel Martinelli has hit a ceiling. They think he has not improved much in recent seasons. Others believe he still has potential. But they admit his performances have been underwhelming. In a team aiming to challenge for the Premier League, every position matters. Every game matters. There is little room for passengers.

The match against Milan may not mean much in terms of results. But it gave fans a look at where the team stands. It also showed where improvements are needed. The reaction to Martinelli is part of a bigger picture. Arsenal want to compete at the highest level. That means raising standards. That means making tough decisions.

Leandro Trossard looked sharp when he came on. He created space. He linked up well. He was more involved. Some fans think he should start ahead of Martinelli. Others believe both players are not enough. They want a marquee signing. That’s why Leao’s name keeps coming up. He is seen as a top talent. A game-changer.

So far, there’s no sign Arsenal will move for Leao. He would cost a lot. Milan value him highly. But fans can dream. They want to see ambition from the club. They want to see Arsenal go all out to win titles. That means bringing in players who can make a difference. Players who can rise to the occasion. Players who are ready now.

The coming weeks will be key. More games. More training. More chances to evaluate the squad. Arteta and his staff will be watching closely. They will decide who stays, who goes, and who plays. The competition for places is strong. And the pressure is high. The Gyokeres deal is almost done. That’s one big signing. But fans are asking for more. They want another winger. Another midfielder. Maybe even another defender. They want depth. They want options. They want to be ready for a long season.

There is excitement around the team. The squad has quality. The manager has a clear vision. But there are still gaps. There are still doubts. Martinelli is now at the center of the conversation. One game in pre-season sparked a wave of criticism. That shows how high the expectations are. If Martinelli wants to stay in the team, he will need to perform. He will need to prove the doubters wrong. He has talent. He has speed. He has energy. But now he needs end product. He needs to deliver. If not, the calls for change will grow louder.

Pre-season is not just about fitness. It’s about sending a message. It’s about making a case. Every player is under the microscope. Every mistake is noticed. Every good moment is remembered. Martinelli still has time to turn things around. But the fans are watching. And they are not patient. Arteta has supported Martinelli in the past. He has given him chances. But even the manager will want more. This season is important. Arsenal want to win the Premier League. They want to go far in Europe. That will take more than effort. It will take quality. Consistency. Ruthlessness.

Fans have already chosen their ideal replacement. Rafael Leao. He is fast. He is strong. He is skillful. He scores goals. He creates danger. He would be a big upgrade. At least, that’s what many fans believe. Whether Arsenal make that move remains to be seen. For now, the focus is on the next games. More players will get minutes. More combinations will be tested. The team is still a work in progress. But fans are already making their voices heard. They want the best. They want trophies. And they are not afraid to say who should go and who should come in.

Martinelli has a chance to respond. He can bounce back. He can show his value. But the pressure is on. Every touch matters. Every pass. Every shot. He is playing not just for his place, but for his future. Fans are watching. Critics are ready. The season hasn’t started yet, but the stakes are already high.Arsenal’s next matches will be telling. Will Martinelli start again? Will he perform better? Will the club make a surprise move for Leao? No one knows yet. But the debate will continue. The fans have spoken. Now the club must decide.