Mikel Arteta has hinted that Gabriel Jesus could be about to follow Gabriel Martinelli out of the door at Arsenal after missing training on Thursday.
Jesus Frozen Out
Jesus has been frozen out by the Gunners this summer after entering the final year of his contract. The Brazilian forward has slipped down the pecking order, with Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres preferred up front.
He has been linked with a move to Napoli, but the deal failed to materialise, with Arsenal's asking price of £20million and Jesus' wage demands providing a barrier. Jesus has been missing from matchday squads so far this season and didn't train with his team-mates at London Colney on Thursday.
Arteta's Comments
"Well, it's something to do with the numbers that we have in the squad at the moment and the way we're managing that kind of situation individually with all the players that have some personal situations," Arteta said in a subsequent press conference.
Asked to clarify what he meant by 'personal situations', Arteta added: "Personal situations, whatever they are, I think it's clear."
Martinelli's Situation
Martinelli did train with his team-mates, despite a £50million transfer to Al-Hilal appearing to be close.
Asked why Martinelli finished training earlier than the other players, Arteta said: "Again, that's another personal situation that we are dealing with. I think everybody knows and recognises how much we love Gabi. And yeah, whatever the outcome is, it will be because everybody agrees to that."
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has been among those to criticise the treatment of Martinelli, who has been at Arsenal since 2019 but has been conspicuous by his absence this season.
Asked about the difficult conversations he has had with Arsenal's two unwanted Brazilian forwards, Arteta replied: "Yes, for sure. There are those conversations and those conversations go both ways.
"But I'm very satisfied how this conversation went because I know what is in each other's hearts and the words that they come through in that conversation make me really happy.
"But it's inevitable that at some point you need to have certain discussions and say certain things that sometimes are tough."
Transfer Plans
Martinelli was reportedly keen to stay and fight for his place at Arsenal, but has effectively been pushed towards the exit, with Arteta unwilling to select him for squads. The 25-year-old rejected a move to Galatasaray and will instead become the Gunners' record sale by joining Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.
Arsenal are also still trying to offload fringe players Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira in an effort to make space in the squad for new arrivals. They haven't given up hope of signing Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid after a move to Barcelona was ruled out by his club.
