'Makes me feel sad' - Ian Wright fumes at Mikel Arteta over omitted Arsenal star

Wright has hit out at Arsenal and Arteta over their handling of Martinelli. The Brazilian winger was completely left out of the matchday squad for the Gunners' 3-0 Premier League opening victory against Coventry City at Emirates Stadium. Goals from Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Martin Odegaard secured a comfortable win over Frank Lampard’s side.

However, Martinelli’s complete absence from the squad highlighted Arsenal's ongoing efforts to sell the 25-year-old before the summer transfer window closes. The winger, who has just one year remaining on his contract, was also omitted from Arteta’s squad for last Sunday's Community Shield victory over Manchester City. Wright expressed deep disappointment over the club's treatment of a player who has consistently given his all for the team.

Speaking on Sky Sports after the Coventry victory, Wright insisted that Martinelli is being treated poorly despite his past contributions. The former Gunners striker feels the situation is being handled without the necessary respect.

"In respects to Martinelli and the way Martinelli has been treated at the moment it really makes me feel uncomfortable," Wright explained. "Because he always gives 100 per cent, I’m not saying he’s the greatest, he’s really come up with some big moments for Arsenal, some big games, he’s scored some very important goals.

"The way he’s been treated at the end here, I know they might want him out, and there’s a lot of people saying, ‘yeah, maybe it’s time for him to move on’, but there’s ways of doing that and it should suit him as well, how he wants to leave."

"Not being in the squad, not being spoken to, doesn’t know what’s going on, yes, I do know this, again, not being involved in the Community Shield squad, he doesn’t know what’s happening, I think he’s got a year left [on his contract]."

Martinelli recently rejected a move away from North London after Galatasaray submitted a £38 million bid for his services. The Brazilian informed Arsenal that he does not want a transfer to the Turkish league, leaving his immediate future unresolved. Wright highlighted that Martinelli still believes he has plenty to offer.

Wright said: "If you bring Vini [Vinicius Junior] in, that kind of level in, Martinelli can say to himself, ‘well, okay, they’ve brought him and Tzolis, I might be third [choice]’, but if you’re bringing Tzolis in, and he’s looking at Tzolis, you look at Madueke on the other [wing], you’re thinking to yourself, ‘I think I can still have it with these two, I still think I’ve got something to offer here'."

"For him to be nowhere near it, it makes me feel sad for him. I’m just saying I think he’s done enough with this team, with this squad, to be treated with a little bit more respect than he’s being treated at the moment."

With only a year remaining on his current deal, Martinelli faces an increasingly uncertain situation at the Emirates Stadium. The forward remains frozen out of matchday squads while Arsenal actively seek a suitable resolution in the market.

As the transfer deadline approaches, both Arsenal and Martinelli must navigate the coming weeks carefully. The winger will hope for a swift resolution to whether he remains to fight for his place or departs on terms that suit him.