Ian Wright blasts 'Disrespectful' treatment of £180k‑week star

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright blasted Arsenal on Tuesday, calling the club’s handling of Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli ‘disrespectful’ treatment. The 25‑year‑old, who earns £180,000 per week, was left out of the Premier League squad for the opening match, sparking the former legend’s fury.

Martinelli's Omission

Martinelli was omitted from the matchday squad against Coventry City, just as he had been for Arsenal’s Community Shield win over Manchester City the previous weekend. The 25‑year‑old has only a year left on his contract and was the subject of a £38 million bid from Galatasaray, though he is said to have no interest in moving to Turkey. His weekly wage of £180,000 places him among the club’s highest earners, alongside Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Martin Ødegaard.

Wright's Criticism

Speaking after the Coventry victory, Wright said, “In respect of Martinelli and the way Martinelli is being treated at the moment, it really makes me feel uncomfortable.” He added, “Because he always gives 100 per cent, I’m not saying he’s the greatest, but he’s really come up with some big moments for Arsenal, some big games, he’s scored some very important goals.” Wright also highlighted the lack of communication, noting, “Not being in the squad, not being spoken to, doesn’t know what’s going on… It makes me feel sad for him.”

Piers Morgan echoed the sentiment on social media, writing that Martinelli “has been a loyal and important player for us for years. He should be treated with respect.”

Since joining the Emirates in 2019, Martinelli has made 278 appearances, scoring 62 goals and providing 36 assists. The club is believed to value him at close to £50 million, with recent links to Napoli and Roma emerging.

Source and Context

The accompanying caption reads: Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers By  Joshua Waite AM GMT+1.

Joshua runs his own football blog PureBall, where Josh shares his thoughts and stories on the sport he loves. He also volunteers as a match reporter for the Loughborough Foxes WFC.

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