Alan Smith believes a section of Arsenal’s fanbase may be left ‘disappointed’ if Gabriel Martinelli is allowed to follow Leandro Trossard out the exit door this summer.
Arsenal have been active in the summer transfer market on the back of their Premier League title success last season, bringing in Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa, Christos Tzolis and free agent Illan Meslier since the window opened for business.
The English champions also activated their £35million option to sign Piero Hincapie on a permanent basis following the defender’s initial loan move from Bayer Leverkusen.
Jakub Kiwior, Christian Norgaard and Trossard, meanwhile, have all brought an end to their spells in north London to join Porto, Everton and Besiktas respectively.
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And with just a week remaining until the transfer deadline, it appears Martinelli could be the fourth first-team player to leave, with Al-Hilal closing in on a deal for the Brazilian winger.
Martinelli is deemed surplus to requirements at the Emirates and Arsenal’s talks with the Saudi Pro League outfit over a deal worth in the region of £51m are believed to be at an advanced stage.
Asked if such a figure would represent a good deal for his former club, ex-Arsenal striker Smith told Sky Sports: ‘They seem to still be looking for a left-sided player even though Tzolis has come in, but Trossard has left.
‘£50m? It’s nothing these days, is it? You can get an average player… but Martinelli isn’t an average player.
‘Martinelli has been very good for Arsenal over the years. He’s maybe lost his way a little bit.
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‘He’s only 25 so if he wants to leave which he probably does, if he thinks he’s not going to get the game-time… to go to Saudi Arabia at this stage of his career, he might feel he can do a couple of years and come back, I don’t know.’
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Given the commitment Martinelli has shown over the years, Smith feels the attacker’s proposed departure could receive a mixed reaction amongst Arsenal fans.
‘For Al-Hilal, he’ll be a good signing,’ Smith – who won two league titles with the Gunners – added.
