Mikel Arteta has ruled out Gabriel Martinelli leaving Arsenal before Monday’s transfer deadline.
Martinelli has been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium this summer, amid reported interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia.
The links had died down in recent weeks, but resurfaced after Eberechi Eze joined Arsenal from Crystal Palace last weekend.
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Eze’s arrival means Arteta now has four options on the left flank, with Eze, Leandro Trossard, Noni Madueke and Martinelli all able to play there.
But asked if there is a possibility Martinelli could leave before Monday’s transfer deadline, Arteta said: “No.
“I think Gabi has been a super important player for us and he’s going to remain very, very, very important.
“The fact that we have options with different qualities, that’s going to fulfil what we want, because every opponent is going to require different things and then the state, the moment, the way that those players are impacting the game - that competition is needed.
“We have him in many other areas on the pitch and he’s needed, especially in the front line, to start the game and to finish the game. So, I’m very happy with what we have.”
Martinelli was left on the bench as Arsenal ran riot against Leeds last weekend, as newly-signed Noni Madueke took his spot in the starting lineup and was replaced by Max Dowman after 64 minutes.
The Brazilian recorded eight goals and four assists in 33 Premier League appearances last season, his second-best season since joining Arsenal in 2019.
