Player profile: Lautaro Martínez

Lautaro Martinez

Player profile: Lautaro Martínez

By Oli Dickson Jefford

Despite a recent run of promising form, there is no doubt that one of Arsenal’s main issues is the lack of a striker.

The controversial exit of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has left a hole up front which, in the long term, Eddie Nketiah is unlikely to fill.

Dusan Vlahovic was a target for the Gunners in January but with the Serbian choosing to stay in Serie A and move to Juventus from Fiorentina, the club have had to look elsewhere. 

And they haven’t had to look too far away from Vlahovic, with fellow Serie A star Lautaro Martinez now reported to be one of the club’s key targets.

Here is all you need to know about the Inter Milan ace ahead of a potential move to North London this summer. 

Career Background


Martinez was born in the Argentinian city of Bahia Blanca in 1997, and followed his father’s footsteps to become a professional footballer. 

He started his junior career at Liniers before moving to Racing Club in 2014, and he would make his professional debut the following year.

After a slow start at Racing Club he became a first team regular in 2016 and ultimately scored 27 goals in 60 appearances, before he was signed by Inter Milan in the summer of 2018.

The Argentine made a slow start to life in Italy, with just nine goals in 35 matches in his opening year in Europe.

However he has since consistently impressed, and scored 17 goals in 38 games in 2020-21 as Inter Milan won the Serie A for the first time since 2010.

Martinez also has a superb record for his country, scoring 19 goals in 38 international appearances for Argentina; effectively a goal every other game.

He scored three goals when his national side won the Copa America last year, with only Lionel Messi and Luis Diaz scoring more across the competition, and was on the Ballon d’Or shortlist.

What would he offer Arsenal?


Martinez’s main selling point is that he is a proven goalscorer for both club and country, and has become a consistent performer over recent years in one of Europe’s top leagues.

Arsenal are flying now but the men’s side scored just once in January, proof that they can struggle to find the back of the net when the likes of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe are not in form.

Having someone of Martinez’s calibre could boost Arsenal as they look to re-establish themselves as a top four side and return to title contention, something that is unlikely without a regular goalscorer.

The 24-year-old also has a level of experience that other attacking players already at the club don’t currently have.

He has won trophies for both club and country and would install a winning mentality that might not currently be present at the club.

What do Arsenal need to do?


Though there is certainly interest from Arsenal’s side, it has been reported that Martinez wants to stay in Italy for the immediate future.

That would come as a huge blow for the Gunners, and cause further discontent after failing to sign a striker to fill Aubameyang’s shoes in January.

It is also thought that Liverpool may be interested in his services, meaning there may be competition even if Martinez is available.

If they are determined to land on the best forwards in Europe, Mikel Arteta, Edu and co will have to move quickly.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Popular posts from this blog

What have we learned from Arsenal's pre-season so far?

Image
  Arsenal – what have we learned from pre-season? By Jack Lacey-Hatton It only feels five minutes since Euro 2020, but incredibly we are just one week away from the new Premier League season starting. Arsenal will travel to newly promoted Brentford for a London derby in front of a noisy crowd next Friday night, not the easiest of starts to the new campaign. But what sort of shape are Mikel Arteta’s side in, going into what could be a defining season for the manager? We took a close look at what we have learnt from the pre-season period and what kind of shape the squad are in.   The new signings are ready to go It has been a mixed transfer window so far. Some fans would have expected more both leaving and arriving at the Emirates stadium over the summer. But positives can be taken - Ben White has arrived from Brighton for £50million, and highly-rated full back Nuno Tavares has come in from Benfica. Albert Sambi Lokonga completes the 2021 summer singings so far. Cruc...
Read more

Transfer Profile: Ruben Neves

Image
Transfer Profile: Ruben Neves By Jonny Bray It is hard to believe that Ruben Neves is still only 25-years-old.   It feels as if the Portuguese international has been tipped for big things for nearly a decade now.  With the midfielder out of contract in 2023, it appears his time at Wolverhampton Wanderers could be coming to an end.  Understandably, with a player like Neves on offer for a reduced price, clubs around Europe are queueing up to secure the international's signature.  So, after all this time, should Arsenal move for Ruben Neves now, or is it time for the Gunners to turn their attention to a new target?  What would he bring?  Arsenal do not have enough defensive midfielders.  Martin Ødegaard, Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka give Mikel Arteta plenty of midfield options going forward, but the Gunners have been found lacking when out of possession this season. Thomas Partey has been in and out of the side due to injuries, a fact that has not hel...
Read more

Where will Arsenal finish this season?

Image
Where will Arsenal finish this season? By Alec McQuarrie Arsenal have made steady improvement over the last few seasons under Mikel Arteta. After finishing 8th in his debut season, the Spaniard oversaw a five-point improvement in his first full campaign.  And last year an eight-point leap followed, which was unfortunately not enough to pip Tottenham to fourth place.  Cruelly, the 69 points accumulated would have been enough to seal Champions League qualification in the previous two seasons.  Looking at the trajectory over the Arteta era, it would be fair to assume a continued improvement this coming season.  After all, with five signings already secured this summer and Alexandre Lacazette the sole first-team player to depart, surely fourth place should be a bare minimum expectation.  Oleksandr Zinchenko offers much-needed cover at left-back and competition for central midfield.  Gabriel Jesus is a proven goalscorer and brings a tireless work-ethic to fulfil...
Read more