Things are slowly falling into place for Gabriel Martinelli at Arsenal, and the recent January transfer window also brought encouraging signs for the young forward.
The Brazilian is becoming more and more important to Mikel Arteta's side, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's departure to Barcelona could grant him an opportunity to achieve one of his biggest ambitions with the club.
Aubameyang signed for Spanish giants Barcelona on transfer deadline day, and the club's motives for the sale have now emerged.
It comes after fellow Gunners teammate Nicolas Pepe was also linked with a move away from the club amid interest from two French clubs, although he is now said to have made his feelings clear about his future.
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Arsenal's Aubameyang motives emerge
Arsenal's motives for agreeing to the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have emerged after the striker sealed his deadline day switch to Barcelona.
Aubameyang was ostracised from Mikel Arteta's squad in December following a disciplinary breach which saw him stripped of the Gunners' captaincy and made to train alone before his departure to the Africa Cup of Nations.
But with Mikel Arteta leading his Arsenal rebuild, Aubameyang was deemed surplus to requirements after falling short of the Gunners boss' expectations.
Arteta reportedly thought his former captain was failing to lead by example – and it led to him deciding to get rid of the player.
Pepe's feelings over move
Nicholas Pepe has made his feelings clear to his bosses at Arsenal about leaving the club after two clubs reportedly registered interest in the player in January.
Lyon and Marseille were both said to be interested in taking the player back to France, where he starred for Lille before joining the Gunners in 2019.
Despite being Arsenal's record signing following his £72million move, things have not worked out as expected for Pepe at the Emirates and he has found himself on the fringes of the first-team under Arteta.
And the player has now revealed his stance to the club after being linked with a move away.
Martinelli's dream coming true
Gabriel Martinelli may now be just months away from achieving one of his biggest ambitions at Arsenal.
The young Brazilian has found himself becoming an increasingly key figure for Mikel Arteta and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's departure could accelerate his importance to the side.
Reports suggest Arteta has tried Martinelli up front as well as on the flanks during their recent training camp trip to Dubai.
But Aubameyang's departure has also given Martinelli the chance to prove he is worthy of one huge club honour ahead of next season.
