Arsenal just lifted the Premier League title, but one of the players who helped them do it cannot even get in the squad. Ian Wright is not happy at all.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright says Gabriel Martinelli deserves more respect.

The Brazilian winger made 53 appearances in all competitions last season and scored 11 goals as Mikel Arteta’s side finally ended their long wait for the league title. Yet he was left out of the squad for the 3-0 win over Coventry on Friday and was also missing for the Community Shield victory against Manchester City.

According to cbinews.tv, Arsenal have invited offers for the 25-year-old and want at least one major sale before the window shuts.

Wright told Sky Sports the situation makes him feel uncomfortable. He said there are ways to move a player on that should suit the player too, and that Martinelli has not been spoken to and does not know what is happening. He argued the forward has done enough with this squad to be treated with more respect.

Some background here helps. Martinelli joined Arsenal from Ituano in Brazil in July 2019 for just six million pounds as an 18-year-old. He is one of the few players to have been in the first team throughout Arteta’s entire reign. In total, he has now passed 200 appearances for the club and was a key part of the 2023/24 title challenge and the eventual title-winning campaign last season.

This summer the picture has changed. Arsenal signed Christos Tzolis, who impressed on the left against Coventry; they have Noni Madueke on the other flank, and they even explored a move for Vinicius Jr before he renewed at Real Madrid. The club view Martinelli, along with Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira, as their most sellable assets.

Arsenal deny freezing him out and put his absence down to strength in depth. Arteta was honest before kick-off on Friday. He said everything has a start and an end, and the club’s duty is to be honest and transparent even when players might not like what they hear.

Wright’s point is about hierarchy though. He said if you bring in Vinicius Jr, Martinelli can accept being third choice. But if it is Tzolis and Madueke, he will still feel he has something to offer. For him to be nowhere near it feels sad.

Martinelli has already turned down Galatasaray and would only want a top European club if he leaves the Emirates. At 25 and entering his peak years, you can see why Wright thinks this deserves a better ending.

#Arsenal #AFC #GabrielMartinelli #IanWright #PremierLeague #TransferWindow #Arteta #Gunners #FootballNews #cbinewstv