Arsenal look to sell four fringe players as Arteta laments squad-size rules after Community Shield rout

Arsenal opened their season by thrashing Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield at Cardiff on Sunday, yet manager Mikel Arteta left the occasion voicing frustration rather than pure satisfaction — pointing to the number of players he could not fit into his matchday squad as a sign that the club’s transfer business is unfinished.

Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Ethan Nwaneri, Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson, and 16-year-old defender Marli Salmon were all absent from the squad, drawing attention to a group of fringe players Arsenal are actively trying to move on before the September 1 window deadline.

“It’s really sad not to have their availability,” Arteta said after the final whistle. “I’ve been fighting with the Premier League to extend and accommodate more players in the squad because they deserve to be in the squad, there’s no question. Ethan and Marli as well, who has had the whole pre-season with us. Hopefully we can change that rule so players can enjoy on the pitch and can be an option to play and contribute to the team going forward.”

Of the absentees, four are considered genuine candidates for a summer exit. According to The Athletic, Vieira has attracted interest from Hamburg while Nelson is a target for West Ham, both having spent last season away on loan. Napoli are keen on Jesus, who is entering the final year of his contract, and Arsenal could also sanction a departure for Nwaneri — the 19-year-old who loaned spells at Marseille and AC Milan last season. Galatasaray are among the clubs to have formally enquired about the teenager, and there is a growing acceptance internally that a transfer may be the best outcome, particularly as a homegrown player would represent pure profit on the balance sheet.

Martinelli’s situation is more complicated. Galatasaray have tabled a bid of around €45 million (£38m) for the Brazilian forward, but he is reportedly reluctant to move to Turkey. With Martinelli entering the final year of his deal, Arsenal face a delicate decision, though he appears likely to remain unless a more attractive proposal materialises.

Sporting director Andrea Berta is working to push through several sales before the deadline, with Leandro Trossard, Jakub Kiwior, and Karl Hein also understood to be available. New signings Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis made their competitive debuts in Cardiff, underlining the depth of quality now available to Arteta — and the pressure that places on those further down the pecking order.