Gabriel Martinelli wishes to switch his shirt number following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure last week.
Aubameyang signed for Barcelona on a free transfer following a well-publicized spat with manager Mikel Arteta. He has left the No 14 shirt empty, and Martinelli is eager to claim it.
Martinelli has established himself as a consistent starter for Arteta in recent months.
The 20-year-old has four Premier League goals and two assists this season. He is now wearing the No 35 jersey, which he has worn since joining the club from Ituano in 2019, but is now looking forward to a change at the conclusion of the season.
According to The Sun, Martinelli wishes to emulate Aubameyang by donning the No 14.
Arsenal’s most renowned No 14 is Thierry Henry, the club’s all-time leading scorer, and after his departure, Theo Walcott also scored over 100 goals in the jersey.
Arsenal made no January signings to replace Aubameyang, but The Sun reports that the Gunners are hopeful Martinelli will step into the 32-year-old’s shoes. Martinelli is mostly a left-winger, but Arteta has previously said that he may develop into a central striker.
For the last two months, the Brazilian has been selected Arsenal’s player of the month.
