Obafemi Martins has today stunned Newcastle, by admitting that he would love to join Arsenal this summer.
The Toon striker insists he is ready to move to the Emirates if the two clubs can agree a deal with Emmanuel Adebayor likely to join Spanish giants Barcelona.
Martins, 23, said:
“Arsenal is a big club that everyone wants to play for. I am thrilled (at the interest) and it will be nice (if the interest is true) to play for such a team.
“But, now that I am a Newcastle player, there is nothing much to say. If it is true, both clubs would have to reach an agreement.
“Is Arsenal a good club? Yes. Would I love to play there? Probably, if Newcastle are ready to listen to them. But if Newcastle says no then it’ll be no.”
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been a long-time admirer of the Nigerian hitman but is so far stalling over the £15 million asking price.
Martins has a £13m buy-out clause in his contract but insists he will not ask for a transfer as he is still happy at St James’ Park:
“Because I still have a contract, I expect the club to speak to me when I get back. I am not saying I want to go but, if anything happens, that’s football.”
Oba to Arsenal? Yes Please!
Your thoughts?
Tags: Adebayor, arsenal, Barcelona, martins, newcastle, Wenger
July 5, 2008 at 1:33 am
First valla lol , Thanks for the Post Gooner_chris , to be honest i really hope the Boss will Snatch him though , he is powerfull, with Pace, would be great signing.. thanks again
July 5, 2008 at 1:40 am
Keep him away. He has had too many years knowing what it feels like to be a looser with Newcastle. You gotta snatch em before that permiates their confidence. He’s wasted goods.
July 5, 2008 at 1:41 am
i’ve always liked martins but not sure if he’d do the business for arsenal, his pace will stretch defences and he will get in behind easily but it’s his finishing sometimes that worries me as he can be quite erratic at times. he was on fire in his first season when he scored 17 goals and who knows with arsenal’s service he might just bang in a few more.
looks like its out of him and santa cruz to replace adebayor if he goes, santa cruz has that killer instinct and is incredibly composed. I feel this is what we lacked last season at the best of times and while martins would bring plenty of pace to the attack i feel we already are covered in that aspect with the likes of walcott and vela as attacking options
July 5, 2008 at 1:42 am
stonroy he’s 24, ur acting like its the end of his career mate, dear me.
July 5, 2008 at 1:45 am
Class player, quick, strong and can turn on the magic when needed. Perfect replacment for Ade if he does go.
July 5, 2008 at 1:49 am
Evo, I’m not saying he can’t move to a diiferent league and be on fire there, just not in England. Maybe cause he’s been there such a short time it may not have affected him..Who knows. Give me Santa Cruz, I rate him to be a great player.
July 5, 2008 at 1:53 am
What’s Martins like in the air? If we do sell Ade, one thing I’d like to see upheld is our aerial threat. That’s where Santa Cruz would be the better buy. Then again, the boss might place faith in the youngsters now and not want to block them. RVP, Eduardo, Bendtner, Walcott, Vela as our first choices up-front. Not bad options, and Bendtner certainly provides an aerial threat.
I’d be inclined to put a No. 2 keeper on the shopping list above another striker anyway.
July 5, 2008 at 1:55 am
Good player- though injury prone. If this is true- go for him now. He would work well with Adebayor. Play Van Persie behind -would make a powerful front line.
July 5, 2008 at 1:57 am
martins has a great spring to be fair Oz but yeah i agree there is no doubt that santa cruz will be the far better replacement overall. as for a keeper i dont think ur getting ur wish as mannone will be the number 3 next season meaning fabianski providing back up to almunia
July 5, 2008 at 2:09 am
Definitely mate.
No chance of getting a keeper’ in. Like Evo said, we have Mannone as our number 3 now which promotes Fabinanski up a notch.
I’m off to bed, absoloutely knackered, night!
July 5, 2008 at 2:10 am
Why not ! very talented player
July 5, 2008 at 2:28 am
Agree with Oz gunner if Ade is to go what would be the point in replacing him with a short speed demon like Walcott/Vela?
The great thing Ade has is aerial power and speed which is going to prove a bit more difficult to replace.
Santa has a good finish and can dominate in the air but would not provide an option when balls are sprinkled in behind defenders.
Especially when playing away to the top teams in the later stages of the Champ league/ or the other big 3 where we usually use 5 in the mid.
July 5, 2008 at 2:54 am
it would be nice if Emmanuel Adebayor goes to Barca because he is no use to Arsenal. He missed alot o f chance and does not deserve to be in Asrenal. i would be happy to see Martins replacing him. Emmanuel Adebayor is no use to Arsenal. all he does good is bash kids like Bentner
Emmanuel Adebayor Go to Barca
July 5, 2008 at 4:02 am
Two players capable of replacing adebayor would be martins,he has pace to stretch defences,power to outmuscle defenders,good ball control and an eye for goal though without height for good ariel presence.santa cruz on the other hand as the height and very clinical in his finishes but with out pace and stamina.if i were to choose i would go for martins because of the close similarities with adebayor and as for the height which he does not have,bendtner is there as cover.
July 5, 2008 at 5:05 am
Nah, I don’t like him, IK Uche is Better.
July 5, 2008 at 6:21 am
who is saying Ade is not a good player? he is the greatest striker in europe as we speak.he has pace,tall,
stamina en i cant remember seeing him on da injury list 4 more than a week.is only he lacked a back-up striker 2wards da end of season due 2 dudus injury bt now Vela is arnd.i will cry if he left.
July 5, 2008 at 7:51 am
Wenger should please buy Obagoal. I think Arsenal needs to reinforce there attact if they are to do anything next season and martins will surely provide that fire power.
July 5, 2008 at 9:25 am
WE DO NOT WANT OR NEED MARTINS.
July 5, 2008 at 9:42 am
Now wonder he wants to leave lol
check out that photo; looks like he’s getting choked out by the local Geordies 
July 5, 2008 at 10:04 am
I’m not overly bothered on this one, if he comes for £13 million or less then fine. If he doesn’t come then that’s fine too. Better than Ade in the air so everybody worry about that, lol @ you. If his first touch improves, he can be better than Ade.
July 5, 2008 at 10:07 am
Lol, Alan Smith. He was really good for Man U when he first arrived there, I don’t see why they got rid of him after his injury, but kept Saha!?
Saha did the same, but he is less versatile, and after his injury he has been awful!
July 5, 2008 at 10:35 am
We have been linked with him for the last two years, so obviously Wenger has admitedhis liking for him, however when Henry left we bought Eduardo, surely then would have been the time to really show our interest. I beleive its just the rumour mill
July 5, 2008 at 10:36 am
I hate Alan Smith, a nothing player, not brilliant at any position, just runs around being aggressive
July 5, 2008 at 10:39 am
Wenger has a difficult job, he has to try and keep the current crop of players happy by giving them regualr chances to show their worth, so after Nasri, and Bishoff, i see maybe one other player joining, and the way it looks maybe not a starter, just a squad player
July 5, 2008 at 11:18 am
Good player at times but not consistent. I’m still unsure whether he can get us at least 20 goals a season. If we are signing him he’s not worth more than 10 million.
July 5, 2008 at 11:53 am
no way come on. not gd enough. seriously guys this guy is not arsenal standard. id rather have bendtner than him.
July 5, 2008 at 5:39 pm
He could easily improve under Wenger’s guidance mate but like Danny says: he is very inconsistent.
July 5, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Inconsistant,arrogant,already on £70k per week,disruptive and he is 45!No thanks.
July 7, 2008 at 2:54 am
I would love to see Martins in Arsenal, but I would prefer to watch Carlos Vela playing a lot, so…
Saludos!