Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has moved to clear up the mystery surrounding Gabriel Martinelli's repeated absence from matchday squads this season, insisting the Brazilian winger is not injured but simply a victim of squad-size restrictions imposed by the Premier League.
Martinelli has been left out of every squad so far this campaign, joining fellow senior players Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson on the list of unused names. Speaking after Arsenal's win over Manchester City, Arteta explained that the current rules limiting clubs to 20 players on a matchday, including a maximum number of outfield options, have made it impossible to include every fit player, regardless of their standing at the club.
"I've been trying to persuade the Premier League and the clubs to be able to extend the number of players that we can have, especially the outfield players in the squads because we play more and more games and the load is unreal, and not giving the chance to those players to be able to be here to participate because maybe it demands the qualities of one of those players and we don't have them available," Arteta said.
He added that the situation was one of the toughest aspects of management, stressing that there was little he could do given the current framework. "It's just a shame so it's the most difficult part of the job but there's nothing to do with that, it's just a fact that we can bring 18 outfield players and we believe that for today's game these were the options that we needed, especially with the physical condition of certain players," the Spanish coach explained.
While Arteta's comments offer a straightforward explanation rooted in squad regulations rather than form or fitness concerns, the timing of Martinelli's exclusion has coincided with growing transfer speculation. According to a report from The Athletic, Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal have entered discussions with Arsenal over a possible move for the 23-year-old attacker as the transfer window edges toward its deadline.
Martinelli, who has been a regular fixture in Arsenal's frontline in recent seasons, is reportedly valued at around £60 million by the north London club. Sources suggest the Brazilian international is open to the idea of relocating to Saudi Arabia, having previously rebuffed interest from Turkish side Galatasaray earlier in the window.
The prospect of losing Martinelli would represent a significant departure for Arsenal, given his contribution to the side's attacking play since establishing himself as a first-team regular. However, his continued absence from matchday squads, now explained by Arteta as a consequence of squad-list limitations rather than any breakdown in relations, adds an intriguing subplot to the unfolding transfer saga.
With Deadline Day approaching, all eyes will be on whether Arsenal and Al Hilal can reach an agreement that would see Martinelli make the move to the Saudi Pro League. For now, Arteta's remarks suggest that the winger's absence from the matchday 20 has been purely administrative, a byproduct of a congested fixture list and restrictive squad regulations rather than a deliberate snub tied to his uncertain future.
Arsenal will continue to navigate the final days of the transfer window while managing an increasingly stretched squad, with Arteta having made clear his frustration at the current system that forces him to leave capable players out of contention on matchdays.
Based on reporting from standard-football.