Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli welcomes new signings amid definite competition for game time

SINGAPORE – In a summer where transfer speculation has circled largely over Arsenal’s front three and what it may look like come the start of the season in August, winger Gabriel Martinelli has instead extended a warm welcome to the club’s new signings and vows to do his best for the team.

The Gunners are in town for this week’s Singapore Festival of Football where they will play friendlies against AC Milan on July 23 and Newcastle United on July 27 at the National Stadium.

Arsenal have been busy in the ongoing summer transfer window. Noni Madueke, their fourth and most recent acquisition from city rivals Chelsea, will offer star player Bukayo Saka some much-needed competition on the right wing.

However, Madueke, primarily left-footed, has not been a stranger to playing on the opposite flank and Martinelli, a left-sided forward, has chosen to view it in a positive light.

In an interview with The Straits Times on July 21, Martinelli said: “I’m really happy with the signings. Really good players. We’re trying to help them feel (at) home. I look forward to playing with them.”

Arsenal’s other summer signings include Kepa Arrizabalaga, also from Chelsea, Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad and Christian Norgaard from fellow London club Brentford.

There could yet be more arrivals in the coming weeks. Real Madrid winger Rodrygo has been linked with the club, while Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres is heavily tipped to join them in what could turn out to be one of the standout deals of the summer.

The No. 9 position is one that fans have been yearning for recruitment in, especially after no Arsenal player scored 10 or more Premier League goals last season. Martinelli himself managed eight goals in 33 appearances.

When asked what kind of striker complements his style of play, he chose to keep his options within the current squad.

“I really like Kai (Havertz) and Gabby Jesus. For example, Gabby likes to rotate with me. I like to cross as well and Kai is always there. I like to play with them both,” said the Brazilian, whose personal goals for the season are to “stay fit and help the team win titles”.

He added: “Three seasons (we’ve) been second. We want to win it (the English Premier League) this year. We’re going to try our best.”

The north London club have not won a top-flight title in 21 years. He hopes that this season will be the start of something special, beginning with their pre-season tour of Singapore, a new destination for the 24-year-old.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the fans in the stadium, people (who) wake up in the middle of the night to watch us.

“We’re going to try our best to win the games and make them happy,” said Martinelli, who enjoys the hot weather here, which is similar to his native Brazil.

Along with goalkeeper David Raya and centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes, Martinelli attended a fan meet-and-greet session at the Adidas Brand Centre Orchard, where the Gunners’ away kit for the 2025-26 season was unveiled.

It will be worn for the first time when the team take to the National Stadium pitch against Milan.

Engaged couple Brandon Rajendra and Adelia Soh were two lucky fans to get up close with the trio of players and they grabbed the opportunity with both hands, bringing their wedding portrait as memorabilia to be signed.

Rajendra, 26, said: “We want to hang it up in our house.”

“Directly above our bed,” added Soh, 25, with a laugh.

After the Singapore Festival of Football, Arsenal will continue their pre-season tour in Asia with a friendly north London derby against bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong before returning to England for home games against Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao.