Ian Wright has hit out at the treatment of Gabriel Martinelli amid ongoing speculation about his future at Arsenal
Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli has been linked with a move away from the Gunners.
Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli has been linked with a move away from the Gunners.(Image: (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images))
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Arsenal icon Ian Wright says he feels 'uncomfortable' with the way Gabriel Martinelli is being treated amid ongoing uncertainty about his future at the Emirates Stadium.
The Brazilian winger has been repeatedly linked with a move away from the Premier League champions this summer, with Turkish Super Lig side Galatasaray holding talks about a move earlier this month.
However, Martinelli has reportedly informed Arsenal that he doesn't want to play outside a top-five league, raising further doubts about his future.
AS Roma have also been linked with a move for the Brazilian winger, who was left out of Arsenal's win over Manchester City in the Community Shield and the win over Coventry City on Friday night.
Summer signing Christos Tzolis started and impressed in both of those games, with Arsenal looking to bring in another left-winger to bolster their attack.
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Speaking to Sky Sports, Wright said: "With respect to Martinelli and the way he’s being treated at the moment, it really makes me uncomfortable.
"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."
Gabriel Martinelli.
Gabriel Martinelli has been touted with a move(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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When asked to clarify what he meant about the treatment, Wright added: "Not being in the squad tonight, not being spoken to, doesn’t know what’s going on."
Asked if he knows this, Wright confirmed: "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.
"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’.
"So for him to be nowhere near it, just makes me feel a bit sad for him. 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."