Arteta confirms Jesus and Martinelli personal situations as Arsenal push for double exit

Mikel Arteta strongly implied that Gabriel Jesus is edging closer to an Arsenal exit after the Brazilian striker missed training at London Colney on Thursday, with the club also finalising a £50 million sale of Gabriel Martinelli to Saudi side Al-Hilal.

Jesus has been frozen out this summer after entering the final year of his contract, slipping behind Kai Havertz and new signing Viktor Gyokeres in the striking pecking order. A move to Napoli failed to materialise, with Arsenal’s £20 million asking price and Jesus’ wage demands proving an obstacle. He has been absent from matchday squads entirely this season.

When asked about Jesus’ absence from Thursday’s session, Arteta was deliberately vague but pointed. “It’s something to do with the numbers that we have in the squad at the moment and the way we’re managing that kind of situation individually with all the players that have some personal situations,” he told reporters. Asked to clarify, he added: “Personal situations, whatever they are, I think it’s clear.”

Martinelli did take part in training, though he left the session earlier than his team-mates. Arteta confirmed the winger’s situation is also being handled individually. “That’s another personal situation that we are dealing with,” he said. “I think everybody knows and recognises how much we love Gabi. And yeah, whatever the outcome is, it will be because everybody agrees to that.”

The 25-year-old had initially been reluctant to leave, reportedly turning down a move to Galatasaray, but has since been pushed towards the exit after Arteta declined to include him in squads. His anticipated move to Al-Hilal would make him Arsenal’s record sale.

Arteta acknowledged the difficulty of the conversations he has had with both players. “There are those conversations and those conversations go both ways,” he said. “But I’m very satisfied how this conversation went because I know what is in each other’s hearts and the words that they come through in that conversation make me really happy. But it’s inevitable that at some point you need to have certain discussions and say certain things that sometimes are tough.”

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has been critical of how Martinelli, a Gunners player since 2019, has been handled during the window.

Beyond the two Brazilians, Arsenal are also working to move on fringe players Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira before the window closes on September 1, as they continue to pursue Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid.