Arsenal dressing room uneasy as Martinelli's freeze-out edges him toward Al Hilal exit

Gabriel Martinelli is closing in on a move to Al Hilal after being frozen out by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, with reports indicating the 25-year-old’s treatment has caused unease inside the Emirates dressing room. The Brazilian has not featured in either of Arsenal’s first two matches of the season and was absent from the squad for the Community Shield in Cardiff.

According to The Mirror, Martinelli’s team-mates have shown “plenty of sympathy” for the winger, with his situation described as causing “discomfort” among the squad. ESPN Brazil separately reports that Martinelli himself is upset about how events have unfolded. However, FourFourTwo understands that Arteta retains the overwhelming support of his players, with no suggestion of a broader dressing room revolt.

Martinelli, who joined Arsenal from Ituano in 2019 under then-manager Unai Emery, became a key figure during the club’s rise back into title contention under Arteta. He scored 15 Premier League goals in the 2022/23 campaign, but his output declined sharply last season, when he managed just one league goal as Arsenal claimed their first league win in 22 years.

In both fixtures so far this term, new signing Christos Tzolis has started on the left wing, with Eberechi Eze coming off the bench in a 3-0 win over Coventry City. Martinelli had reportedly rejected a move to Galatasaray before Al Hilal emerged as his most likely destination. Transfermarkt values the winger at €45 million.

Arteta has navigated similar situations before. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Özil were both omitted from Arsenal squads before having their contracts terminated, while goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was effectively phased out in favour of on-loan David Raya last season, making just two league appearances — both against Brentford, when Raya was cup-tied.

Arsenal are also pursuing Atlético Madrid forward Julián Álvarez in the closing days of the transfer window, though FourFourTwo understands the move is proving difficult, with the Argentine currently not favouring a return to England.