Guimaraes on bench as Arsenal face Como LIVE!

Arsenal’s pre-season campaign took another twist on Wednesday night as Bruno Guimarães began a match from the bench, not the starting XI, when Como visited the Emirates Stadium. The friendly against Italian Serie B side Como ended after extra time, but the bigger story was the squad reshuffle ahead of the final weeks of the transfer window.

Guimarães starts on bench as Arteta shuffles the pack

Mikel Arteta made wholesale changes at half-time, bringing on Guimarães and others, but the Brazilian’s inclusion on the bench from the outset signals a squad rethink rather than a settled XI. The Gunners’ pre-season schedule has been used to test combinations, and Wednesday’s rearranged friendly—played into the evening under Emirates lights—was no exception. Arteta’s willingness to rotate reflects a squad still in flux, with several positions under review as the club weighs up incomings and potential exits.

Martinelli’s future hangs by a €45m thread

Arsenal are weighing a £38.4m bid from Galatasaray for Gabriel Martinelli, a figure that would shatter the club’s transfer record if accepted. The Turkish club’s €45m offer—tabled on Wednesday—has forced Arsenal into a decision: cash in now or hold out for a domestic replacement. Sky Germany reports the Gunners are contemplating the bid, though no final call has been made. Martinelli, linked with multiple Premier League clubs earlier this summer, has made it clear he has no interest in leaving Europe’s top five leagues, narrowing Arsenal’s options. The bid would surpass the £35m received for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2019, underscoring the scale of the potential departure.

The sale would also free up funds for Arteta to pursue alternatives, with Morgan Rogers, Bradley Barcola, and Vinícius Júnior among the names still in the frame. Whether Arsenal sanction Martinelli’s exit before securing a replacement remains the central question, but the club’s hierarchy appears prepared to break its own record if the right valuation is met.

Lewis-Skelly’s exit looms as Chelsea and United circle

Myles Lewis-Skelly, once a highly touted academy graduate, has slipped down the pecking order and is now the subject of interest from Chelsea and Manchester United. The teenager’s long-term future has been debated since last season, and both clubs have reportedly made approaches. Arsenal have already fielded offers, but no deal has been finalised. The Gunners’ midfield depth—boosted by the arrivals of Guimarães and Christos Tzolis—means Lewis-Skelly’s minutes are limited, increasing the likelihood of a move before the deadline.

For United, the pursuit fits Michael Carrick’s plan to strengthen full-back options, while Chelsea’s interest adds another dimension to the teenager’s potential exit. Lewis-Skelly’s departure would mark another youth-team asset leaving north London, following the exits of players like Emile Smith Rowe in recent years.

Tactical implications: rotation, recruitment, and record-breaking sales

Arteta’s squad rotation against Como underlines a broader strategy: test young talent while finalising a competitive XI for the season’s start. Guimarães’ bench role suggests he may not be an automatic starter, at least initially, while Martinelli’s potential sale would force Arteta to reshuffle his frontline. The club’s record-breaking bid acceptance would free up capital, but it also risks weakening a squad already thin in certain areas. The left flank, in particular, could see a complete overhaul if both Martinelli and Trossard depart, with Tzolis currently the only confirmed replacement.

Meanwhile, Lewis-Skelly’s exit—if it materialises—would further deplete Arsenal’s academy depth, though it may be a necessary sacrifice to balance the books. The next fortnight will determine whether Arteta’s vision aligns with the club’s financial ambitions.

With the transfer window entering its final stretch, Arsenal face a series of high-stakes decisions. Martinelli’s future could redefine the club’s summer, while Lewis-Skelly’s potential departure highlights the challenges of balancing youth development with squad pragmatism. Guimarães’ bench start is a reminder that nothing is settled—not even the starting XI.

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