The £130m upgrade of Martinelli and Trossard is now Arsenal’s “No.1 target”.

Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard were due to battle it out to be Mikel Arteta’s first-choice left-back for Arsenal in the 2025/26 campaign.

It was the Belgian international who gained more and more popularity in the Premier League, as the former Brighton & Hove Albion player started 21 of 31 games in the division.

In those games, Trossard produced six goals and six assists for the Gunners to help them win the Premier League title, in what was a solid, if unspectacular, return for the defender.

Martinelli, on the other hand, started just 11 times in Arsenal’s top flight last season, scoring one goal, against Manchester City, and providing the team with four assists in 30 games.

The Brazilian, however, scored 11 goals in all competitions for the Gunners, thanks to a return of six goals in the Champions League and four goals in the FA Cup.

Arsenal have made the Premier League star their top target

Trossard and Martinelli both provided quality moments for the team and were useful in their own way, but neither of them nailed the position and brought exceptional consistency.

Now, the team is reportedly looking for a player to come in that left both of them struggling for minutes on the field next season.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal’s main target to strengthen their wide options is Aston Villa striker Morgan Rogers in the summer transfer window.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the journalist said: “For Arsenal, the first goal remains Morgan Rogers. If they can reach an agreement with Aston Villa, they will sign Morgan Rogers.

“If they can’t, (Bradley) Barcola could be an option. But, at the moment, I feel that Morgan Rogers is the best candidate to be Mikel Arteta’s new player, because Arsenal have improved a lot on the player side.”

It is now up to the Gunners to strike a deal with the Villans for the England international, who is said to be valued at £130m by his current club.

What does this mean for Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard

Both Martinelli and Trossard played their fair share of minutes in the 2025/26 campaign as there was no outstanding option they were pegged to start every game.

The arrival of Rogers, however, will mean that Arsenal have a player who can start every game in the same position as the likes of William Saliba, Gabriel and Declan Rice do in their positions.

His performances for Aston Villa in the Premier League last season suggest he will slot into the team as Arteta’s option on the left-back, given his quality and consistency in the final third.

Rogers scored more goals and created more ‘big chances’ on his own than Trossard and Martinelli managed together in the top flight last term, which is quite an achievement considering they both played for the title winners.

The England international’s form is no flash in the pan as he produced eight goals and ten assists in the Premier League at Villa in the 2024/25 campaign, netting 14 goals and 13 assists in all competitions.

Rogers has recorded double figures in both goals and assists in both of the past two seasons and is on three consecutive campaigns with double figures in goals, which speaks to his consistency on that end of the floor.

The versatile star, who can play on the left or as a number ten, is a proven Premier League player who could arrive at the Emirates to strike down the likes of Arteta’s speedster, which may be why he has emerged as their first-choice number one.

Arsenal are bringing in the England star for £130m this summer, therefore, will leave their two current left-back options in a difficult situation, as they face the prospect of a lack of game time next season.

Turkish side Besiktas have agreed a £17m deal for Trossard, while Newcastle United are said to be looking to move Martinelli this summer, meaning both have options to leave North London.

That’s why the signing of Rogers could spell the end for Martinelli or Trossard, or both, if they decide they want to look for playing time elsewhere.