Why Arsenal plan for ‘next Gabriel Martinelli’ failed as Edu negotiates latest Gunners exit

Arsenal winger Marquinhos could be set to depart the club in the coming weeks after interest from Fluminense has sparked suggestions of a loan with a potential buy option according to Fabrizio Romano. football.londonreported that when he arrived back from his mutually terminated loan spell with Nantes in France the club was open to all potential avenues including a sale.

It appears that the 20-year-old’s move to the Gunners has sadly not followed in the footsteps of fellow Brazilian arrival Gabriel Martinelli. The question is why?

The simple answer to the question is the impact of Marquinhos was unable to match that of Martinelli. Firstly, the former Ituano winger didn’t have another young Brazilian in his pathway to the senior squad and Martinelli was also coming through at the same time to the likes of Bukayo Saka rather than in the past couple of years when the England international is seen as one of the world’s top footballing talents.

To try and help Marquinhos has been sent on two loan spells. The first was to Norwich City where he scored and assisted on his debut but sadly failed to kick on and establish himself in the side.

It was the same story for his recent loan spell in Ligue 1 with Nantes and the French club had no concerns calling it quits on the move this winter. His integration into his new club has not been smooth with challenges like a drastic language and culture change and perhaps it is therefore no surprise that he looks to be returning to Brazil.

Arsenal want to improve their recruitment in South America, football.london understands, and Edu’s contacts from his time working with the Brazilian national team have certainly helped. However, the success of both Marquinhos and former Flamengo defender Pablo