Martinelli upgrade: Arsenal readying bid for "one of the best wingers"
Arsenal’s aim this summer is clear: add more goals to their squad.
Despite being second in the Premier League and through to only the club’s third Champions League semi-final, the Gunners’ lack of goals has unquestionably held them back.
So, do Arsenal lead the race to sign “one of the best wingers on the market”, described as Mikel Arteta’s dream signing?
Arteta's dream attacking signing
According to reports in Spain, via Football365, Arsenal are readying a ‘serious offer’ as they attempt to sign Athletic Club Bilbao forward Nico Williams, whom is believed to be Arteta’s dream target.
The Gunners have a long-standing interest in Williams; alongside Barcelona, they were chasing his signature last season, but the 22-year-old decided to stay at Athletic, aiming to help les Leons win the Europa League at their home stadium San Mamés, on course to achieve this, preparing to face Manchester United in the semi-finals.
Now, Marca are reporting that Barça’s interest in Williams has cooled, partially as a result of their ongoing financial concerns, but also due to the fact that Raphinha has been on fire this season, scoring 28 goals and registering 22 assists across all competitions.
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Thus, Aditya Gokhale of Goal believes this leaves Arsenal as the front-runners to sign Williams come the summer, with analyst Ben Mattinson describing him as “one of the best wingers on the market”, while Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout labels him “brilliant”.
Pol Ballús of The Athletic documents that Williams’ release clause is just €55m (around £47m), which he claims to be a ‘bargain’ although, according to Capology, the winger earns around £171k-per-week, so would therefore become one of Arsenal’s highest-earners, should he choose to swap the Basque Country for North London.
How Nico Williams would improve Arsenal
Arteta has previously stated that he wants to add “more firepower” to his forward line, and these statistics underline why.
The Gunners have scored one goal or fewer on 22 occasions this season, doing so in 50% of their 32 league fixtures to date, with the table below showing how this compares to previous campaigns.
2024/25*
57
1.78
2nd
2020/21
55
1.45
8th
2019/20
56
1.47
8th
1998/99
59
1.55
2nd
1995/96
49
1.29
5th
1994/95
52
1.23
12th
1993/94
53
1.26
4th
1992/93
40
0.95
10th
1989/90
54
14.2
4th
*season ongoing: 6 fixtures remaining
As outlined in the table, since 1988, Arsenal have only failed to score 60+ goals in a league season on eight occasions, primarily enduring miserable mid-table campaigns whenever they do, requiring three goals from their remaining six fixtures this season to avoid adding to this tally.
This is also quite the comedown, considering the Gunners scored 91 goals last season, their most in a single campaign since 1953.
Despite netting at the Bernabéu this week, Gabriel Martinelli is often widely criticised, with this only his eighth goal of the season so far.
Given that Martinelli is first-choice on the left-wing, it is his place Williams would be looking to take in the team, so let’s assess how the duo compare.
Appearances
42
43
Minutes
2,946
2,905
Goals
11
8
Assists
7
6
Shots on target %
42.2%
45.2%
Shot-creating actions
166
85
Goal-creating actions
20
7
Attempted take-ons
264
137
Take-on success %
40.2%
33.6%
Progressive carries
177
141
Ball recoveries
127
95
Duels Contested
471
306
Touches per 90
41
34
Remarkably, as outlined in the table, Williams and Martinelli have played almost a near-identical number of minutes this season to date, there are just 41 between them, which is useful when it comes to comparing the duo.
The table suggests that Williams would be an upgrade on the Brazilian, considering that he’s scored more goals and registered more assists this season, while he is also a more proficient dribbler, and is more dangerous in front of goal.
So, if the Gunners are finally going to end their 22-year wait for a Premier League title next season, the Spanish Euros winner would be an excellent addition.
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1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 19, 2025