Anthony Gordon
Anthony Gordon
Arsenal emotions ran high on Friday night as the Champions began their title defence with an impressive 3-0 win over Coventry City, but one player who may not have felt so jubilant is Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazil international, who was axed from Mikel Arteta's matchday squad for the Community Shield win over Manchester City, once again did not even make the bench under the floodlights at the Emirates Stadium.
It's a mighty fall from grace for a player who has made nearly 300 appearances for Arsenal and, until recently, had been one of the Premier League's most respected wingers. Should the saga continue, perhaps Newcastle United should step in.
Arsenal criticised for Gabriel Martinelli treatment
Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
It's no secret that Arsenal are in the market to sell Martinelli this summer. The winger has been linked with a move away from the club in recent windows and has seen his minutes dwindle over recent years.
The Gunners' signing of £34million Club Brugge man Christos Tzolis has pushed Martinelli even further down the pecking order, and an impressive Premier League debut for the Greek star over the weekend won't have filled the Brazilian with much confidence.
With just one year left on his contract, it's understandable why Arsenal are keen to cash in on Martinelli, but the club risks angering fans with their treatment of a player who has given a lot to the North London side.
On Friday night, club legend Ian Wright said:
"The way he's been treated at the end here, I know they might want him out, and a lot of people might say, 'Yeah, it's time for him to move him on'. But there's ways of doing that and it should suit him as well, how he wants to leave.
"Not being involved in the squad [last night], not being spoken to, he doesn't know what's going on. And yes, I know this, I know this. He doesn't know what is happening."
Arteta is reported to have spoken directly with Martinelli, but it's no doubt a situation that Arsenal will want to solve soon.
Newcastle United must consider Martinelli swoop
Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
Under time pressure both due to the player's contract and mood over the situation, it could present an enticing late summer transfer option for Premier League rivals. Perhaps none more so than Newcastle United.
The Magpies sold left winger Anthony Gordon to Barcelona early in the window and have since splurged £43million on Hoffenheim winger Bazoumana Toure. The 20-year-old is an exciting prospect, but Matthias Jaissle is still staring down a squad with a loss of Premier League experience.
Alongside Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali have also left St James' Park. The club's new transfer strategy will see them move away from the experienced top flight professionals favoured by Eddie Howe, but the club has not added a player with one appearance in the Premier League yet this summer.
Martinelli would certainly bring a knowhow to Jaissle's squad, as well as taking pressure off new boy Toure on the left wing position. The Brazilian has also played off the right and through the centre for Arsenal, and would offer important versatility to the Magpies.
Newcastle United's transfer priority between now and the end of the window is an attacking number 10 to fit into Jaissle's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation - a role set to be occupied by either Yoane Wissa or William Osula currently. The Magpies boss wants the player in that position to press defenders and use freedom to move between the lines, something you could see Martinelli doing.
Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti deployed Martinelli in that position against Japan in the World Cup, with the Arsenal star coming off the bench to score a 95th-minute winner.
After the match, Martinelli said: "At Arsenal I don’t play that position, but I can. The manager has been talking to me about how I can play in that role, playing centrally.
"I’m happy to help the team regardless of the position. On the pitch, I’ll try to help Brazil in the best way possible."
It's surely a move that would appeal to Martinelli too - a chance to stay in the Premier League and a real chance to nail down a spot in the starting XI.
Arsenal are believed to have set a £43million asking price for the player but, with the weeks ticking by and no firm reports of offers, Newcastle United could smell a bargain price in the offing.