FOOTBAL: Arsenal may not be on the lookout for a striker at the moment.

The Gunners were desperate to bring a new center striker to Emirates Stadium last month, but Mikel Arteta was unable to add any stars to his squad.

Serbian international Dusan Vlahovic was linked with a move to Arsenal but instead chose to stay in Serie A and join Juventus. Both Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton and Alexandre Isak of Real Sociedad were listed as possible targets, but neither deal came to fruition.

However, Arteta’s quest for a forward might not be as desperate if he didn’t have both Alexandre Lacazette and Nketiah out of contract at the end of the season, with the latter potentially becoming a major departure for the Gunners.

Arteta has been open in his desire for the English prospect to sign a new contract, but Nketiah believes there is no certainty that he will have possibilities to develop in North London, therefore he will see out his contract and seek greener pastures elsewhere.

Gabriel Martinelli, on the other hand, has the opposite opinion of Arteta, which is unsurprising given the way Arteta has eased the Brazilian into a first-team regular while people around the club have been loud about how highly regarded he is.

However, if Nketiah had been treated and marketed in the same way that Martinelli has, he could have been their long-term No.9 option.

According to The Sun, Martinelli is now in position to receive the prestigious no.14 shirt at the club, which was most notably worn by Thierry Henry, following the departure of Aubameyang.

Let your voice be heard! Should Arsenal sign Eddie Nketiah to a new contract? Please leave a comment here.

The number swap is obvious, but it could also be an indication of Arteta’s strong regard for the former Ituano star.

While he is without a club, Jack Wilshere, who has trained with Arsenal on multiple occasions, has also expressed his admiration for Martinelli.

“Martinelli is the one I truly like and think will be the best,” he told Arsenal Media.

“I think the manager’s handling of him has been brilliant as well.

“When I first got there, he was training, coming on, not playing much, but training incredibly well, and I thought to myself, ‘He’s going to get an opportunity here,’ and he did, and he’s been fantastic.”

Although many have been aware of Nketiah’s rise through the ranks, the striker’s most outspoken support has only come since the striker’s future has been questionable.

Despite rumours that a number of clubs were interested in signing the former Leeds loanee, Arsenal refused to let him leave last month, indicating that Arteta feels he can persuade the academy graduate to stay.

Martinelli’s four goals and two assists in 14 games demonstrate what confidence and opportunity can do for a young player, and if Arteta can instill confidence in Nketiah before the conclusion of the season, the Spaniard may not be in such a hurry to sign new players.

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