Mikel Arteta has made it clear where a group of fringe players stand ahead of the 2026/27 season by naming his squad for the Community Shield against Manchester City
Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal,
Mikel Arteta's squad selection for the Community Shield told a story(Image: Ryan Pierse/The FA via Getty Images)
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Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Ethan Nwaneri have been sent a clear message by Mikel Arteta after being left out of the Arsenal squad for the Community Shield.
Arsenal play Manchester City in the season-opener at Wembley on Sunday afternoon following a difficult pre-season campaign. There are still 16 days left in the summer transfer window - and Arteta's selection has sent a message to his fringe players.
While new signings Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis have come into the starting XI immediately following their arrival, others have been given the cold shoulder.
Martinelli, Jesus and Nwaneri have all been linked with transfers in this window and it seems that is the plan. None are involved at Wembley, while Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice have been left on the bench, having returned late for pre-season following their involvement with England at the World Cup.
Leandro Trossard (Besiktas), Jakub Kiwior (Porto), Karl Hein (Werder Bremen) and Christian Norgaard (Everton) are the only players have left Arsenal for transfer fees this summer and Arteta knows that time is running out.
Galatasaray want to sign Martinelli for €45million (£38m), but the striker is reportedly not keen on moving to Turkey. The Brazilian forward has been with the Gunners since 2019 but has entered the final year of his contract in north London.
Napoli have been in talks to sign Jesus, who is also in the final 12 months of his contract and has fallen down the pecking order behind Kai Havertz, who starts against Man City, and Viktor Gyokeres, who is named on the bench.
Gabriel Martinelli has informed Arsenal of his transfer decision following a bid from Galatasaray
Gabriel Martinelli is on the transfer list(Image: (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))
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Jesus is expected to join Napoli for around £17m once they have shifted Romelu Lukaku and Lorenzo Lucca. He will join former Manchester United frontman Rasmus Hojlund in Italy if he does move in the coming weeks.
Nwaneri has also interested Galatasaray, who have even suggested a potential swap deal involving star striker Victor Osimhen. The 19-year-old midfielder is also of interest to AC Milan, Fulham, Red Bull Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund, according to BBC Sport.
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is the man tasked with finding new clubs for the group of unwanted players. Reiss Nelson is expected to leave, while Fabio Vieira is also on the transfer list.
Arteta is excited to see his new signings play against City. "Christos came early so that always helps. Bruno joined us last week. He's in good condition and we know what he will bring to the team," he told TNT Sports.
Asked about bringing back players after the World Cup, he added: "It is something very individual. Declan played over 65 games; he needed complete rest and we have to build him up. They remain so competitive. They wanted to be involved and that's good to see as well."
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