In the build-up to Arsenal’s first game of the season, three players were very noticeable by their absence. Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira left on the sidelines just waiting while their futures are resolved.
This is the cruel nature of football. They have been left out in the cold, knowing realistically they would not be involved. Like many other managers, Mikel Arteta often does “shape” the day before a game and so if you are not involved, you know you will not even make the bench.
Sadly for Martinelli, he was left doing keepy-uppies while the rest did a final training session and the ever-popular Brazil winger is clearly on his way out. Martinelli is a really nice, likeable character who has been hanging around with Vieira quite a bit while the Portugal midfielder - almost a forgotten man - waits for his next move.
Jesus has a year left on his contract and it has been his ambition to play 10 years in English football - which would also help his residency status - and being a free agent next summer would also open more doors for him.
