Ian Wright Criticizes Arsenal's Treatment of Gabriel Martinelli
Ian Wright has condemned the way Arsenal are handling Gabriel Martinelli as uncertainty over the winger’s future continues to grow.
The Brazilian has been heavily linked with a move away from the Premier League champions this summer, with Galatasaray holding talks earlier in the window. AS Roma are also monitoring the situation.
Martinelli, though, has reportedly told Arsenal he does not want to leave for a league outside Europe’s top five, a stance that has only deepened the sense of limbo around him.
Left out. And left in the dark – that’s the picture Wright painted.
Martinelli has not featured in either of Arsenal’s last two games: the Community Shield win over Manchester City and Friday night’s victory against Coventry City. New signing Christos Tzolis started and impressed in both matches, while the club are also looking to bring in another left-winger to strengthen their attacking options.
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,” the Arsenal legend 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 to the recent omissions.
“Not being in the squad tonight, not being spoken to, doesn’t know what’s going on,” he said. Asked if he was certain 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.”
Wright then drew a sharp contrast between the level of signings that might justify Martinelli being pushed down the pecking order and the current competition in wide areas.
“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’. 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 where the treatment starts to feel harsh. A player who has delivered in big moments, now on the fringes, with little clarity.
“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.”
With a year left on his deal and interest building abroad, Arsenal’s stance on Martinelli is becoming a test not just of their squad planning, but of how they handle one of their most committed performers in what could be his final months at the club.
