Arsenal follow Chelsea blueprint as 'advances rejected' for Chido Obi Martin replacement

Blues raid Brighton for £58m Marc Cucurella after Blues chief Todd Boehly copied Gunners' Gabriel Jesus swoop

Todd Boehly has made his statement signing as Chelsea owner by landing Marc Cucurella from Brighton - and now Arsenal fear they are also set to lose out on their top transfer target.

The Gunners have already lost out to Chelsea once this summer in the race to sign Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus, with the Blues moving quickly to land their man ahead of their London rivals.

And they look set to miss out on another of their top targets, with reports stating that Brighton have rejected an opening bid from Arsenal for defender Chido Obi Martin.

The 18-year-old left-back is one of the most highly-rated young defenders in the country and has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium for some time.

But Arsenal will now have to look elsewhere for a new left-back, with Brighton determined to keep hold of their prized asset.

The Gunners are in need of a new left-back after Kieran Tierney suffered a knee injury that will keep him out of action for the start of the season.

Bukayo Saka has been filling in at left-back in Tierney's absence, but the England international is more comfortable playing further forward.

Arsenal have been linked with a number of left-backs this summer, including Lisandro Martinez of Ajax and Oleksandr Zinchenko of Manchester City.

But it appears that Brighton are not willing to sell Martin, and Arsenal will now have to look elsewhere for a new left-back.