The left wing has been a bit of a headache for Arsenal for some years.
Gabriel Martinelli is a top left winger. He is basically 2nd choice for Brazil behind only Vinicius Jr, and you will struggle to name a Premier League left winger who is levels ahead of him. But there has always been a feeling that he is not at the level we need, not at the level of a Bukayo Saka, and we can do better.
I do get the thinking, and Martinelli can often be so frustrating. As can Leandro Trossard. But my issue is when names are mentioned, they are often no better.
Take Anthony Gordon, for example. For me he is basically an English Martinelli. Someone who only excels when there is space in behind and who has a very similar output to Martinelli. The likes of Rafael Leao and Nico Williams are another pair who flatter to deceive and never really lived up to the hype. Bradley Barcola also falls into this category for me.
The only truly outstanding left wingers in world football right now are Vinicus Jr and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
It is highly unlikely Vinicus Jr will leave Real Madrid this summer. And equally as unlikely that Kvaratskhelia will leave PSG.
Some fans have got it in their head that Kvaratskhelia is obtainable. This baffles me.
He is playing for the European champions, a team who have just made back to back finals, and is well on his way to being a cult hero. At PSG he will pick up trophies for fun and is earning in excess of £300k a week doing it.
We can not blow PSG out of the water in terms of money, and are unable to offer him the guaranteed success. And having only been in France for 18-months, it is probably too early to talk about “new challenge”.
After much head scratching, I have come the the belief that Arsenal will not be able to sign better than Martinelli this summer. That instead of trying to replace him for 2026/27, what we need to do is sign a youngster who might currently be playing below Martinelli’s level but could, in 12 months time, have developed into something better.
Add in Eberechi Eze and we should then be able to sell Trossard this summer, go with Martinelli plus a youngster and have Eze as the additional option.
So who do I like the look of?
Kenan Yıldız – The Juventus attacker is a technically gifted attacking midfielder who combines flair, intelligence, and composure in the final third.
Standing tall with strong close control, he excels at carrying the ball through tight spaces and creating chances between defensive lines. His dribbling is smooth and unpredictable, while his vision allows him to spot progressive passes early. Yıldız can operate as a winger, number ten, or second striker, offering tactical flexibility. He presses willingly and shows confidence in one-versus-one situations.
Yan Diomende – A dynamic winger with explosive acceleration, direct dribbling, and outstanding confidence in one-versus-one situations. Primarily operating from the left, the RB Leipzig winger attacks defenders aggressively and creates separation with sharp changes of pace and close control. His movement in transition is excellent, allowing him to exploit open spaces quickly.
Diomande shows composure in front of goal and can finish with either foot. Physically, he is lean but surprisingly resilient under pressure. His decision-making and defensive contribution still require refinement, yet his athleticism, creativity, and fearless attacking style suggest elite upside at the highest level of European football.
Mika Godts – An explosive wide attacker who thrives in isolation and transition moments. The Belgian winger possesses sharp acceleration, agile footwork, and the confidence to attack defenders repeatedly in one-versus-one situations.
Comfortable on either flank, he prefers cutting inside to combine or shoot, showing impressive balance and close control at speed. Godts is technically refined and creative, with quick decision-making in tight areas. His off-ball movement and pressing intensity continue to improve, making him valuable in high-tempo systems.
Said El Mala – A technically sharp attacking midfielder who combines creativity, mobility, and composure in advanced areas. He operates effectively between the lines, receiving under pressure and progressing play with intelligent passing and quick combinations.
El Mala shows impressive awareness in tight spaces and possesses smooth close control that allows him to evade challenges consistently. He is capable of carrying the ball forward or creating chances with subtle through balls and smart movement. While not physically dominant, he compensates with agility and football intelligence. Improving defensive intensity and end-product consistency will elevate his game further, but his technical quality and vision stand out clearly.
Assane Diao – A powerful and versatile forward, Diao combines athleticism with strong technical ability in attacking areas.
Comfortable playing as a winger or central attacker, he excels at driving into space and attacking defenders directly. Diao’s acceleration and physical strength make him difficult to contain in transition, while his intelligent movement allows him to find dangerous positions inside the box. He shows composure when finishing and has the confidence to take responsibility in decisive moments. Defensively, he contributes with energetic pressing and work rate.
Who would you like to see us sign in the summer? Let us know in the comments.
DK
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 