Mikel Arteta warned Arsenal player he 'adores' is already working to leave the club
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(Credit: Imago)
Jack Heath
Tue 23 September 2025 14:30, UK
Mikel Arteta underwent an overhaul of his squad in the summer which has seen one Arsenal player pushed to the fringes.
The Gunners were engaged in a tetchy 1-1 draw with Man City on 21 September as the Spaniard couldn’t overcome his former master Pep Guardiola.
Ex-refs chief Keith Hackett exclusively told Football Insider that things need to charge after Arteta rushed out of his technical area during Arsenal’s draw with Man City.
The manager’s frustrations were clear to see and will only be exacerbated with Noni Madueke facing a spell on the sidelines for Arsenal after coming off with an injury.
Sources told Football Insider on 23 September that Arsenal are unlikely to sign Real Madrid’s Arda Guler which is good news for Gabriel Martinelli who is growing impatient with his lack of minutes.
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The Brazilian proved to be vital against the Cityzens by scoring a stoppage time equaliser in the dying moments of the match.
Yet, discussing his situation on talkSPORT (22 September), former Watford striker Troy Deeney believes the winger is becoming increasingly infuriated with being sidelined at the Emirates.
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The player turned pundit said: “But even him [Martinelli] now he’ll be having questions saying ‘why aren’t I playing?’
“He’ll be talking to his agent saying, you know, ‘do we have an out here because even if [Eberechi] Eze doesn’t play or [Bukayo] Saka’s out, well, [Leandro] Trossard starts before me’.
“These are the questions players start to have.”
A worrying prediction for Arsenal fans, who are seeing the very best of the Brazilian again.
Previously, the Gunners boss has praised Martinelli and “adores” him for his attitude and commitment (The Guardian, 16 September) but is unwilling to start him.
The 24-year-old has started just two of his four Premier League appearances despite notching two goals and an assist in his last two games in all competitions.
The arrivals of Eze and Madueke have seen the Brazil international pushed down the pecking order with Trossard being preferred in his place as Deeney alluded to.
Gabriel Martinelli 2025-26 (all comps)StatsAppearances (starts)5Starts2Minutes played171Goals2Assists1Gabriel Martinelli’s 2025-26 stats in all competitions.
With the World Cup fast approaching, Martinelli will need to play regular first team minutes to have any chance of making it into Carlo Ancelotti’s squad.
The Italian has utilised the winger in the international contests since his arrival but with a plethora of wide attacking options the out-of-favour Gunner cannot be promised a starting berth in the national team.
In January, the number 11 will have a major call to make if he continues to struggle to force his way into Arteta’s thinking.