Mikel Arteta urged to sell second Arsenal star after £56m Gabriel Martinelli transfer | Football

Ray Parlour has advised Mikel Arteta to sell a second Arsenal player after sanctioning the exit of Gabriel Martinelli.

Arsenal’s longest-serving player Martinelli is closing in on a £56m move to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal after being put up for sale by Arteta.

The Gunners signed Greek winger Christos Tzolis earlier in the summer and then tried to sign Brazil icon Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid.

The writing was on the wall for Martinelli after he was left out of Arsenal’s matchday squads for the Community Shield against Manchester City and the Premier League opener against Coventry City.

Martinelli was initially reluctant to join Al Hilal but ESPN say he has now approved the move after being offered a four-year contract worth around £20m-a-year.

Asked about Martinelli’s future earlier this week, Arteta said: ‘Everybody knows and recognised how much we love Gabi and whatever the outcome is, it is because everyone agrees to that.

‘We have had conversations. I know what is in each other’s hearts, and the words that came through in that conversation make me happy.

‘But it is inevitable you have to say certain things that are tough.’

Arsenal legend Parlour has backed the decision to sell Martinelli to ‘freshen up the left-hand side’ and says he would not be opposed to Gabriel Jesus also being moved on before the transfer deadline.

Like Martinelli, Jesus also failed to feature in Arsenal’s first two games of the season and is training away from the first-team.

‘Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli are probably the two that will move on,’ Parlour told Ladbrokes.

‘But the problem is that moves away have got to suit them as well; they can’t just suit the club, they’ve got to be right for the player too.

‘We definitely need to move a few on in the next few days, especially if one or two more are going to come in. And you look at the squad and think it’s probably Jesus and Martinelli who would be most likely to go.

‘Martinelli has done nothing wrong, but he’s been there a long time now, and maybe they’re just trying to freshen it up on that left-hand side.’

Jesus has attracted interest from English, European and Saudi clubs as his four-year spell at Arsenal appears to be coming to an end.

The Brazilian, who won four Premier League titles at Manchester City, has scored 32 goals in 123 appearances for the Gunners.

Tzolis, meanwhile, has made a bright start to his Arsenal career following a £34m move from Club Brugge and Parlous believes he could be ‘one of the signings of the season’.

‘Christos Tzolis has come in and made a great impact already, and he only cost around £35m,’ Parlour added.

‘It was a bit sad to see Leandro Trossard go, actually, but to get a player like Tzolis in, I think is a great piece of business.

‘He scored a lot of goals in Belgium, although obviously it’s a tougher standard over here, but he’s already shown he’s got a goal in him, and he has a couple of assists to his name already.

‘This is the next step for him as a player, and you’ve got to step up from somewhere. Now, it’s about whether he can handle the pressure, and whether he fits Arsenal’s style.

‘At the moment he’s been brilliant. I like his energy, his running power, and how he makes things happen. He could be one of the signings of the season, if he carries on the way he’s going.

‘He’s already exciting fans. You know, most of my mates who are Arsenal fans are already speaking highly of him. The hardest bit for the player is to keep it going.

‘You know, there are going to be periods where you’re not playing so well, and it’s all about how you bounce back.

‘He’s buzzing though; he’s got a move out of nowhere to the champions, so let’s hope he can continue how he’s started, because if he does, then he’s nailed on to play every week.’

Reigning champions Arsenal return to Premier League action on Monday night against ex-Gunners boss Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news onFacebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: Chelsea vs Brighton LIVE: Premier League latest score and confirmed lineups as Martinez starts

MORE: Arsenal star’s brother agrees transfer to Premier League rivals

MORE: Bruno Fernandes responds to £133m transfer offer to leave Manchester United