Arsenal legend Ian Wright has voiced concern over the way the club is treating Gabriel Martinelli, describing the situation as "uncomfortable" as the Brazilian winger finds himself sidelined from Mikel Arteta's plans.
Martinelli, who joined Arsenal in the summer of 2019 before Arteta's arrival, has been left out of successive matchday squads, including the recent fixture against Coventry, where teenager Ethan Nwaneri was preferred on the bench ahead of him. The 25-year-old is reportedly not actively seeking an exit, but Arsenal are said to be willing to sanction a sale before the transfer window closes on September 1.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Wright did not hold back in expressing his disappointment at how the club has managed the situation, particularly regarding communication with the player.
"In respect of Martinelli and the way Martinelli is being treated at the moment, it really makes me feel uncomfortable," Wright said. "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 former Arsenal striker acknowledged that the club may have valid footballing reasons for moving the winger on, but insisted the process should be handled with more sensitivity and transparency.
"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'," Wright continued. "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 has been a key contributor since his arrival at the Emirates, netting 62 goals across all competitions for the Gunners. However, his output dropped significantly last season, with just a single Premier League goal to his name, coinciding with a decline in his standing within the squad's pecking order.
The emergence of Christos Tzolis as Arsenal's preferred option on the left flank has further complicated Martinelli's path back into the team, while Eberechi Eze has also been utilized in wide areas. Wright suggested that the accumulation of alternatives has left Martinelli increasingly marginalized.
"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 explained. "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'."
He added that being completely frozen out of contention, rather than simply facing tougher competition, is what troubles him most about the club's approach.
"For him to be nowhere near it makes me feel a bit sad for him," Wright said. "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."
With the transfer deadline approaching, questions remain over whether Arsenal and Martinelli can find a resolution that suits both parties before the window closes. For now, the Brazilian's future at the club hangs in the balance, with his recent squad omissions only intensifying speculation about a potential departure.
Based on reporting from standard-football.