Ian Wright Criticizes Arteta Over Martinelli Omission

Ian Wright has expressed his frustration at Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta for leaving Gabriel Martinelli entirely out of the squad for the club’s Premier League opener. The Arsenal legend believes that the Brazilian winger deserves better treatment after his contributions to the team.

Martinelli did not feature in the matchday squad during the Gunners’ convincing 3-0 victory against Coventry City, where goals from Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Martin Odegaard secured the win at the Emirates Stadium. This decision has raised eyebrows, especially as it appears to indicate Arsenal’s ongoing efforts to offload the 25-year-old player before the summer transfer window closes.

The winger, who has just one year remaining on his contract, was also absent from the squad in the previous week’s Community Shield match against Manchester City. Wright conveyed his disappointment during a segment on Sky Sports, emphasizing that Martinelli’s hard work for the team over the years deserves recognition.

Commenting on Martinelli’s situation, Wright said, “In respects to Martinelli and the way he’s been treated at the moment it really makes me feel uncomfortable. Because he always gives 100 per cent. I’m not saying he’s the greatest, but he’s had some big moments for Arsenal, scoring important goals.”

Wright argued that the manner in which Martinelli has been treated is disrespectful given his dedication to the club. “Not being in the squad, not being spoken to, he doesn’t know what’s going on. I know they might want him out, but there’s a way of doing that that should also consider his feelings,” he added.

Despite the speculation around his future, Martinelli recently turned down a £38 million bid from Galatasaray, insisting that he does not wish to move to the Turkish league. This left his immediate future at Arsenal uncertain, with an increasing sense of urgency as the transfer deadline approaches.

Wright highlighted Martinelli’s belief in his own abilities, noting that the winger thinks he can still contribute significantly to the squad. He remarked, “If you bring in players like Vinicius Junior, Martinelli can see he might be third choice, but he thinks he can still compete with the likes of Tzolis and Madueke. For him to be nowhere near it makes me feel sad for him. He deserves better respect than what he’s receiving right now.”

As Arsenal continues to seek a resolution regarding Martinelli’s status, both the club and the player will need to navigate the coming weeks with care. The winger now finds himself in a precarious position, hoping for clarity on whether he will remain in North London to fight for his place or find a move that aligns with his wishes.