London Football reviews the latest Arsenal updates from the final week of the summer transfer window, including developments surrounding Julián Álvarez, Kenan Yıldız, and Gabriel Martinelli.

This is the penultimate market update for the summer transfer window. Arsenal have made a strong start, currently trailing Brighton only due to Aston Villa's poor performance. With the Gunners facing Villa away next week, the day before the market closes, this is undoubtedly an encouraging sign.

However, despite Arsenal's excellent performance—having already won a trophy and begun their title defense—the club still faces several questions with less than 8 days until the transfer window closes. Whether regarding new signings or player departures, it's possible not all issues will be resolved before the deadline.

The squad's defensive priorities have been addressed. Konsa arrived for a fixed transfer fee of £51 million plus £4 million in add-ons, signing a 4-year contract with an option to extend for another year. Mikel Arteta has acquired a player capable of operating as both right-back and center-back, possessing vast experience, calm passing ability, and defensive statistics other defenders would envy.

Remaining questions regarding signings and departures are intertwined, particularly on the offensive line, so we'll start there. Gabriel Martinelli received a £38 million offer from Galatasaray, but the player himself was unwilling to accept it.

Once again, questions have been raised about Arsenal's handling of player departures. Martinelli's situation bears some similarity to Myles Lewis-Skelly's.

Both players had a strong desire to stay at Arsenal at the start of summer. Certainly, Martinelli's social media post following the season conveyed a sense of "this could be the end." But upon closer examination, coupled with the fact that the player is happy at Arsenal and not seeking to leave, the message appears more an emotional expression of gratitude for helping the squad compete for the title and working toward it for seven years.

London Football is aware that Andrea Berta assessed the potential value of several squad players. For years, Arsenal have lagged significantly behind competitors in player sales, and there has been internal club pressure to raise funds through departures.

This also explains why Arsenal previously contacted Chelsea and Manchester United through intermediaries to gauge their interest in Lewis-Skelly. However, internal communication problems at the club are attracting increasing attention.

London Football is aware that when the exclusive news about Lewis-Skelly's potential departure leaked, the player himself was surprised. This explains his clear delight after scoring against Como, Arsenal's reaction after winning the Community Shield, and the overall fan reaction. Every time his name is announced at Emirates Stadium, he receives the loudest applause of any squad player. The same occurred last Friday against Coventry City. Before the match, Arteta addressed the difficulty of having hard conversations with players, including explaining why they might receive limited playing time or even informing them that leaving could be the more suitable option.

When asked about this particular challenge, Arteta responded: "That's an excellent question. This is a truly very, very difficult moment.

"We need to be realistic. But I believe it must be approached with genuine honesty and transparency, because that's what's needed when you're on the other side. You might not like what's being said, but if it's true, if it's reality, if it's honest and it helps you make better decisions and gives you a clearer picture of what your next career step should be, then you must do it.

"This kind of communication is always very difficult, but it must happen. When a player feels he doesn't belong in the team, or feels he isn't important, he'll want to start a new chapter. I believe this communication must exist, and it should be two-way.

"We all know that everything eventually has a beginning and an end. When the end comes, I believe our duty and responsibility is to manage it in the best possible way, maintaining respect, appreciation, and the relationship with the player, while also understanding that ultimately we must make football decisions."

London Football also asked Arteta directly whether he was confident that Lewis-Skelly would remain an Arsenal player after the transfer window closes. To this, he finally gave a clear answer: "One hundred percent."

However, after the Coventry City match, former striker Ian Wright added new controversy to the topic during an interview with Sky Sports. Wright maintains close ties with the club and has good relationships with many squad players.

Wright stated: "I'm annoyed by how Gabriel Martinelli has been treated. He always gives 100% and has scored some important goals.

"Nobody communicated with him, he didn't know what was happening. I know that."

However, London Football has learned from club sources that Arteta spoke with Martinelli before the match about why he wasn't included in the squad. Perhaps the lack of understanding between the two parties relates more to the club actively seeking a buyer.

Lewis-Skelly's situation is similar, though on a broader scale. Initially, Arsenal were expected to strengthen the left flank. However, Trossard's early departure could further complicate Martinelli's situation.

The current reality is that Al-Hilal is negotiating with Arsenal, hoping to reach an agreement for the Brazilian player's transfer. London Football is aware that Martinelli is now more inclined toward a transfer. Arsenal aim to significantly exceed their club record for player sales, which stands at £35 million from Oxlade-Chamberlain's departure in 2017.

If Martinelli were to leave, finding a replacement becomes even more uncertain. To date, Arsenal's attempts to sign a left-winger have been unsuccessful, despite showing strong interest in Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Junior.

The reality is that there aren't many players on the market who could improve this title-contending squad's quality, and valuations for such players align with Arsenal's own valuation. In Rogers' case, Chelsea intervened and paid a £117 million transfer fee. If Arsenal were to match this figure, they would have to abandon their principles.

Kenan Yıldız is a player Arsenal admire and would be willing to pay a high price for. However, so far, neither Juventus nor the player himself has shown the willingness to negotiate necessary to make the deal happen.

Therefore, Julián Álvarez appears to be Arsenal's last hope for a major new signing. Álvarez was met with strong jeers from the crowd when he returned to Madrid and played for Atlético Madrid in their 2-2 draw against Villarreal.

At the end of the match, some even suggested he left immediately without applauding the fans alongside his current teammates, perhaps fearing a stronger reaction.

Atlético Madrid don't want to lose Álvarez. However, London Football is aware that if a club outside Spain, particularly outside Barcelona and Real Madrid, made an offer significantly exceeding £100 million, Atlético would be more inclined to engage in negotiations. The biggest challenge for Arsenal, though, is securing the player's support for the transfer.

Álvarez has always wanted to move to Barcelona. As time passes, the likelihood of that deal materializing seems to diminish.

Arsenal may struggle to find a replacement after losing Martinelli. In that case, Eze's role on the left flank of the front three would undoubtedly become even more important this season.

Tradotto dall'IA.

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