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Arsenal could lose two first-team players this summer after they were left out of the squad for the Community Shield victory over Manchester City.
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Both players are reportedly attracting interest from Turkish champions Galatasaray.
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One of the players recently rejected a verbal offer worth almost £40 million, while Arsenal’s preference for younger talent could influence the situation.
August 17, (THEWILL) — Arsenal’s Community Shield triumph over Manchester City has provided an early boost ahead of the new season, but the celebrations have been overshadowed by uncertainty surrounding the futures of two first-team players.
According to a report from talkSPORT, Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri are both facing possible exits from Arsenal after neither player was included in the squad for Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Manchester City.
Their omissions have added to speculation that both could be heading away from the Emirates before the summer transfer window closes.
Martinelli has been an important member of Mikel Arteta’s squad since establishing himself in the first team, making 30 Premier League appearances during Arsenal’s title-winning campaign last season.
The Brazilian has also built an impressive record during his time in north London, scoring 62 goals in 278 appearances for the club across competitions.
However, his position at Arsenal now appears less secure, with interest from Turkey emerging as a potential route out of the club.
Galatasaray are reportedly among the clubs monitoring the situation and have already held discussions over a possible deal involving both players.
The Turkish champions are looking to strengthen their squad as they chase a historic fifth consecutive Super Lig title, although they face increased competition following several high-profile arrivals across the league.
Martinelli is understood to have already rejected a verbal proposal from Galatasaray worth close to £40 million.
The offer would have represented a club-record transfer for the Turkish side, highlighting the level of interest in the Brazilian forward.
For Nwaneri, the situation is particularly significant given his status as one of Arsenal’s most promising young players.
He became the youngest player to appear in a Premier League match, although his record was later placed under serious threat by fellow Arsenal youngster Max Dowman.
Nwaneri has scored 10 senior goals since breaking into Arsenal’s first team during the 2022-23 season, but the emergence of other young players could make his path to regular first-team football increasingly difficult.
Galatasaray’s interest in the pair could therefore provide Arsenal with a major decision to make before the transfer window closes.
While Martinelli’s experience makes him a valuable asset, Nwaneri’s potential could make any permanent departure a significant gamble for the Gunners.
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It remains unclear whether the potential exits are being driven by the players themselves or by Arsenal’s plans for the squad.
However, their absence from the Community Shield squad has intensified questions about their futures at the club.
Arsenal began the new campaign in style by defeating Manchester City 3-0 to lift the Community Shield.
The victory also strengthened their position as the competition’s most successful club, with the Gunners now having won the trophy 18 times.
But with the new season approaching, attention will quickly turn from the celebrations to the transfer market.
And for two Arsenal stars, the biggest question may now be whether they will still be at the Emirates when the window closes.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
