Ian Wright criticizes Arsenal's treatment of Gabriel Martinelli
Ian Wright has launched a fierce defence of Gabriel Martinelli, admitting he feels “uncomfortable” with how Arsenal are treating the Brazilian as uncertainty over his future grows.
Martinelli’s name has been circling the rumour mill all summer. Galatasaray held talks earlier this month, while AS Roma have also been linked, but the winger is understood to have told Arsenal he does not want to leave for a league outside Europe’s top five. His next step, and whether it comes this summer, remains wide open.
What is clear, in Wright’s eyes, is that Arsenal are not handling the situation well.
Left out, left in the dark
Martinelli was omitted from the squad for Arsenal’s Community Shield win over Manchester City, then again for Friday night’s victory over Coventry City. He did not make the bench in either game.
Christos Tzolis, a summer signing, started and impressed in both matches, underlining the club’s push to reinforce the left flank and add another winger to the attacking mix.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Wright did not hide his frustration at how the 23-year-old is being frozen out.
“With respect to Martinelli and the way he’s being treated at the moment, it really makes me uncomfortable,” Wright said. “He always gives 100%, we’re not saying he’s the greatest, but he’s come up with some big moments for Arsenal in big games, and the way he’s being treated at the end here – I know they might want him out and there’s a lot of guys saying it’s time for him to move on, but there’s ways of doing that should suit him as well.”
Pressed on what he meant by “the way he’s being treated”, Wright pointed directly at the recent team selections and the communication around them.
“Not being in the squad tonight, not being spoken to, doesn’t know what’s going on,” he said. Asked if he was sure of that, Wright doubled down: “Yes I do know this, I know this. Not being involved in the Community Shield squad, not being involved tonight, he doesn’t know what’s happening, he’s got a year left.”
The pecking order question
Arsenal’s recruitment plans only sharpen the sense of tension. Wright suggested that if a truly elite wide player arrived, Martinelli could at least rationalise his place.
“If you bring Vini in, that kind of level, Martinelli can say to himself, ‘well okay they’ve brought him in and Zsolis, I might be third’,” Wright said. “But if you’re bringing in Tzolis and Madueke’s there, you’re thinking to yourself, ‘I’ve got something to offer here’.”
For Wright, that is the crux. Martinelli, a title-winning squad member who has delivered in big moments, now finds himself nowhere near the picture as the new season approaches.
“So for him to be nowhere near it, just makes me feel a bit sad for him,” Wright added. “I think he’s done enough in this squad to be treated with a bit more respect than he’s been treated at the moment.”
A year left on his deal, suitors circling, a legend publicly questioning the club’s approach. Martinelli’s situation is no longer just a transfer rumour – it’s a test of how Arsenal handle one of their own.
