Ian Wright Critiques Arsenal's Treatment of Gabriel Martinelli

Ian Wright has launched a strong defence of Gabriel Martinelli, admitting he feels “uncomfortable” with how Arsenal are handling the Brazilian as doubts over his future grow.

Martinelli’s name has been circling the rumour mill all summer. Galatasaray held talks earlier this month over a move, while AS Roma have also been credited with interest. Yet the 23-year-old 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.

While the speculation swirls, the reality on the pitch has been blunt. Martinelli was left out of the squad for Arsenal’s Community Shield win over Manchester City, and again for Friday night’s victory over Coventry City. He did not get a minute. He did not even make the bench.

In his place, summer signing Christos Tzolis has seized the opportunity, starting and impressing in both games as Arsenal explore options on the left wing and continue to look at adding another player in that position.

For Wright, that context does not justify the way a long-serving attacker is being edged aside.

Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Arsenal striker did not hide his frustration.

“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, specifically, troubled him, Wright pointed directly to Martinelli’s recent exclusion and uncertainty.

“Not being in the squad tonight, not being spoken to, doesn’t know what’s going on,” he explained.

Asked if he was certain about that situation, 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.”

For Wright, the issue is not simply competition. He argued that the level of incoming players matters to how a senior squad member reads his own status.

“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, in Wright’s eyes, is where the treatment crosses a line. Martinelli, a title-winning winger who has delivered in key moments, now finds himself “nowhere near it”.

“So for him to be nowhere near it, just makes me feel a bit sad for him,” Wright admitted. “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.”

Arsenal’s stance on Martinelli may yet become clear before the window shuts. For now, one of the club’s modern icons believes the message to the player is far too loud, and the communication far too quiet.