Ian Wright believes Arsenal should show more respect towards Gabriel Martinelli, stating the situation has left him feeling “uncomfortable”.
Martinelli was left out of the matchday squad for Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Coventry, as he also was for the Community Shield last weekend.
While the 25-year-old is not believed to be pushing to leave the Gunners this summer, it is understood that the club are open to selling him.
Transfer interest and squad omissions
Galatasaray were said to be interested in a move, though Martinelli informed Arsenal he had no desire to move to Turkey.
It remains to be seen whether there is a resolution before the transfer window shuts on September 1. Wright has hit out at his former club, accusing them of failing to communicate adequately with Martinelli.
“In respect of Martinelli and the way Martinelli is being treated at the moment, it really makes me feel uncomfortable,” Wright told Sky Sports.
“He always gives 100%. I’m not saying he’s the greatest. He’s really come up with some big moments for Arsenal, some big games, scored very important goals.
“The way he’s been treated at the end here. I know they might want him out and people might say, ‘yeah, it’s time to move him on’.
“There’s ways to do that. It should suit him as well, how he wants to leave. Not being involved in the squad, not being spoken to, doesn’t know what’s going on. I know this, I know this.”
Martinelli's Arsenal career and current standing
Martinelli joined Arsenal in the summer of 2019, six months before Mikel Arteta took charge of the Gunners.
The Brazilian has scored 62 goals in all competitions for the club. However, he got on the scoresheet just once in the Premier League last season.
Christos Tzolis has quickly established himself as first choice on the left wing after a superb start to life in an Arsenal shirt, while Eberechi Eze has also been handed minutes out wide.
Ethan Nwaneri was named on the bench against Coventry ahead of Martinelli, despite the club being open to loaning him out this season.
That was further indication of the difficult position Martinelli now finds himself in.
“If you bring Vini in, that kind of level in, Martinelli can think, ‘OK, they’ve brought him in, they’ve brought Tzolis in, I might be third [choice]’,” Wright said.
“But if you bring Tzolis in. Even looking at Madueke on the other side. You’re thinking, ‘I can still have it with these two, I still think I’ve got something to offer here’.
“For him to be nowhere near it makes me feel a bit sad for him. He’s done enough with this team, with this squad, to be treated with a little bit more respect than he’s being at the moment.”
