Ian Wright has hit out at Arsenal and Mikel Arteta over their decision to leave Gabriel Martinelli out of the squad for the 3-0 win over Coventry City on Friday night.
Arsenal got off to the perfect start in their opening game of the new Premier League season as goals from Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard sealed the victory over Frank Lampardâs side at the Emirates Stadium.
Martinelli, meanwhile, was left out of the squad completely as Arsenal are looking to sell the Brazilian winger before the end of the summer transfer window.
The 25-year-old, who has just a year left on his contract, was also omitted from Artetaâs squad for their victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield last Sunday.
Martinelli was the subject of a ÂŁ38 million bid from Galatasaray last week but the winger has informed Arsenal that he does not want a move to the Turkish league.
Wright now claims Martinelli is being left in the dark over his future and has criticised Arsenal for their handling of the situation.
âIn respects to Martinelli and the way Martinelli has been treated at the moment it really makes me feel uncomfortable,â Wright told Sky Sports after Arsenalâs win over Coventry City.
âBecause he always gives 100 per cent, Iâm not saying heâs the greatest, heâs really come up with some big moments for Arsenal, some big games, heâs scored some very important goals⊠the way heâs been treated at the end here, I know they might want him out, and thereâs a lot of people saying, âyeah, maybe itâs time for him to move onâ, but thereâs ways of doing that and it should suit him as well, how he wants to leave.
âNot being in the squad, not being spoken to, doesnât know whatâs going on, yes, I do know this, again, not being involved in the Community Shield squad, he doesnât know whatâs happening, I think heâs got a year left [on his contract].
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âIf you bring Vini [Vinicius Junior] in, that kind of level in, Martinelli can say to himself, âwell, okay, theyâve brought him and Tzolis, I might be third [choice]â, but if youâre bringing Tzolis in, and heâs looking at Tzolis, you look at Madueke on the other [wing], youâre thinking to yourself, âI think I can still have it with these two, I still think Iâve got something to offer hereâ.
âFor him to be nowhere near it, it makes me feel sad for him.
âIâm just saying I think heâs done enough with this team, with this squad, to be treated with a little bit more respect than heâs being treated at the moment.â
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Arsenal got off to the perfect start in their opening game of the new Premier League season as goals from Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard sealed the victory over Frank Lampardâs side at the Emirates Stadium.
Martinelli, meanwhile, was left out of the squad completely as Arsenal are looking to sell the Brazilian winger before the end of the summer transfer window.
The 25-year-old, who has just a year left on his contract, was also omitted from Artetaâs squad for their victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield last Sunday.
Martinelli was the subject of a ÂŁ38 million bid from Galatasaray last week but the winger has informed Arsenal that he does not want a move to the Turkish league.
Wright now claims Martinelli is being left in the dark over his future and has criticised Arsenal for their handling of the situation.
âIn respects to Martinelli and the way Martinelli has been treated at the moment it really makes me feel uncomfortable,â Wright told Sky Sports after Arsenalâs win over Coventry City.
âBecause he always gives 100 per cent, Iâm not saying heâs the greatest, heâs really come up with some big moments for Arsenal, some big games, heâs scored some very important goals⊠the way heâs been treated at the end here, I know they might want him out, and thereâs a lot of people saying, âyeah, maybe itâs time for him to move onâ, but thereâs ways of doing that and it should suit him as well, how he wants to leave.
âNot being in the squad, not being spoken to, doesnât know whatâs going on, yes, I do know this, again, not being involved in the Community Shield squad, he doesnât know whatâs happening, I think heâs got a year left [on his contract].
Ask Metro
Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about â powered by Metro and trusted publications.
âIf you bring Vini [Vinicius Junior] in, that kind of level in, Martinelli can say to himself, âwell, okay, theyâve brought him and Tzolis, I might be third [choice]â, but if youâre bringing Tzolis in, and heâs looking at Tzolis, you look at Madueke on the other [wing], youâre thinking to yourself, âI think I can still have it with these two, I still think Iâve got something to offer hereâ.
âFor him to be nowhere near it, it makes me feel sad for him.
âIâm just saying I think heâs done enough with this team, with this squad, to be treated with a little bit more respect than heâs being treated at the moment.â
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Arrow MORE: Manchester United reach agreement to sign ÂŁ70m midfielder
Arrow MORE: Atletico Madrid send message to Julian Alvarez after Arsenal transfer approach
Arrow MORE: Arsenal 3-0 Coventry: Gunners kick off Premier League title defence with routine win
