Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has offered a cryptic assessment of the ongoing transfer situations surrounding Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli, as the club prepares to face Aston Villa on Monday night in a fixture that falls just a day before the summer transfer window closes.
Jesus, who has attracted interest from Napoli, did not take part in Arsenal's training session on Thursday morning. Arteta suggested the striker's absence was linked to broader squad management rather than any specific incident. "It's something to do with the numbers that we have in the squad at the moment," Arteta explained, "and the way we are managing that kind of situation individually with all the players that have some personal situations."
When pressed further on whether Jesus's situation reflected a player edging closer to an exit, Arteta did not shy away from confirming the underlying tension, stating simply that the matter involved "personal situations, whatever they are," adding that the circumstances were clear enough without further elaboration. Napoli's pursuit of the forward has reportedly stalled somewhat, with Arsenal's valuation of around £20million, combined with Jesus's significant wages, proving a sticking point in negotiations.
Martinelli's situation appears further along, with a move to Saudi Arabia understood to be close to completion. Despite this, the Brazilian winger continued training with his Arsenal teammates this week. He has already been left out of matchday squads for both the Community Shield and the club's opening Premier League fixture of the new season, a sign that the Gunners are keen to complete what would be a notable sale before the window shuts.
Arteta emphasised that any outcome regarding Martinelli would only be reached with mutual agreement between player and club. "That's another personal situation we are dealing with," he said. "I think everybody knows and recognises how much we love Gabi. Whatever the outcome is, it will be because everybody agrees to that." Reflecting on his private discussions with both Jesus and Martinelli, Arteta described the exchanges as heartfelt, saying he was "very satisfied with how these conversations went" and that the sentiments shared had left him "really happy," while acknowledging that difficult conversations were sometimes unavoidable at this stage of a player's career.
Asked directly to reflect on Martinelli's Arsenal career, Arteta declined to treat the moment as a farewell, insisting the winger remains fully part of the squad. "Gabi is an Arsenal player and that's it," he said, adding that it was not the appropriate moment for further comment.
Amid the uncertainty over departures, Arteta also delivered a boost regarding new arrivals and returning players ahead of the Villa Park encounter. Bruno Guimaraes, signed for £75million from Newcastle, is in contention to make his full Arsenal debut having recovered from a groin issue that hampered his pre-season. "Yes potentially," Arteta said when asked about the Brazilian featuring, while downplaying any lingering fitness concerns and stressing that his recovery load has simply needed careful management.
Jurrien Timber could also return soon after an increase in his training load, while William Saliba's comeback remains some way off, according to Arteta. Ezri Konsa, a £50million signing from Villa, has been confirmed as available for selection against his former club. Arteta revealed his own involvement in identifying Konsa as a transfer target, though he stressed he does not get personally involved in negotiating deals. He also expressed hope that Konsa would receive a warm reception from Villa supporters upon his return to Villa Park.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport and The Independent.