Squad gap widens as Arsenal’s Martinelli and Nwaneri set to exit

Arsenal must fill the attacking void left by Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri after both were omitted from the Gunners’ Community Shield squad, a move that signals their likely departures before the transfer window shuts on August 31 with the season‑opening clash against Manchester City looming.

Potential exits spark transfer talks

Getty images showed the Community Shield squad without Martinelli and Nwaneri, confirming they are not involved in Sunday’s game in Cardiff against Manchester City.

Martinelli featured in last term’s Premier League title triumph, making 30 appearances and scoring 62 goals in 278 games for the Gunners, including six goals in the Champions League, while Ethan Nwaneri, the England Under‑21 attacking midfielder, debuted at 15 years and 181 days and recorded nine goals in 37 outings across all competitions.

TalkSPORT Arsenal have already held discussions with Galatasaray over the potential sales of both players, and a verbal offer of £38.4m has been tabled for Martinelli, who has said he does not want to join the Turkish champions.

Nwaneri was loaned to Marseille in January after making just 12 appearances last term, highlighting his limited opportunities despite his historic debut record.

Arsenal have responded to the looming departures by completing the £75million signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle, adding Christos Tzolis to the wide‑area competition, securing former Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer and making Piero Hincapie’s loan from Bayer Leverkusen permanent.

Arsenal's next moves before deadline

Mikel Arteta said ahead of the Community Shield, “There is more that we want to do because every time we have an opportunity to improve the squad and bring more quality and depth to the squad, we need to do that… We are actively trying to do so, but we cannot promise that we’re going to do it because it doesn’t only depend on us.” The manager confirmed the club remains active in the market as the window closes on August 31.

After the Community Shield, the Gunners turn their attention to the opening match of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign at home to newly promoted Coventry on Friday, aiming to win back‑to‑back league titles for the first time since 1935.