Ian Wright Critiques Arsenal's Treatment of Gabriel Martinelli
Ian Wright has voiced serious concern over Gabriel Martinelli’s situation at Arsenal, saying he feels “uncomfortable” with how the winger is being treated as uncertainty over his future grows.
The Brazilian has been at the centre of transfer speculation all summer. Galatasaray held talks earlier this month, while AS Roma have also been linked. But Martinelli has reportedly told Arsenal he does not want to leave for a league outside Europe’s top five, a stance that only deepens the sense of limbo around him.
What is clear right now: he is nowhere near Mikel Arteta’s plans on the pitch.
Left out and left in the dark
Martinelli was omitted from the squad for Arsenal’s Community Shield win over Manchester City and again for Friday night’s victory over Coventry City. Both absences raised eyebrows. Inside the club, they have raised something stronger.
Summer signing Christos Tzolis started and impressed in both games, underlining Arsenal’s push to add another left-sided attacker and intensifying the spotlight on Martinelli’s role. The Premier League champions are actively looking to reinforce that flank; the Brazilian, once central to their future, suddenly looks peripheral.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Wright did not hide his frustration.
“With respect to Martinelli and the way he’s being treated at the moment, it really makes me uncomfortable,” he 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, specifically, he meant by “treatment”, Wright pointed directly at the recent omissions 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 about 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.”
Respect, hierarchy and a brutal message
Arsenal’s pursuit of wide players has only sharpened the debate. Wright drew a clear line between losing your place to a global superstar and being nudged aside by players still proving themselves at the very top level.
“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 explained. “But if you’re bringing in Tzolis and Madueke’s there, you’re thinking to yourself, ‘I’ve got something to offer here’.”
That, for Wright, is the crux. Competition is expected. Being frozen out without clarity is something else.
“So for him to be nowhere near it, just makes me feel a bit sad for him,” he 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.”
Martinelli has one year left on his deal. Arsenal are reshaping their attack. The clock is ticking. How this stand-off ends will say plenty about where the club is heading – and how it chooses to part ways with players who helped drive it there.
