Gabriel Martinelli sent 'mindset' warning as Arsenal 'scout' new Champions League winger

Arsenal are now preparing for Thursday night’s Champions League group stage clash with Atalanta as they look to get off to a strong start in the remodelled preliminary phase. The Gunners have enjoyed a strong start to the season, picking up 10 points from a possible 12, beating Tottenham in the North London derby on Sunday.

They will now look to carry that form over to the Champions League while attempting to avoid further injury issues ahead of Sunday’s all-important date with Manchester City. In the meantime, we have rounded up the Arsenal latest.

Martinelli advice

Ian Wright believes Gabriel Martinelli’s concern over his starting spot is costing him ground in his bid to remain a regular starter amid a poor start to the season from the winger.

Speaking on the ‘Wrighty’s House’ podcast, Wright said: “This is why Gabby, again his mindset at the moment for me is one of, because [Leandro] Trossard might, because Trossard’s gonna play and he doesn’t know if he’s gonna play, he feels like he has to prove something.

“He’s playing with that, I need to get my chance, I need to take it so people can say, yeah, we can’t forget Gabby. Whereas he’s just got to do what he does in getting past people, get the ball across, we score the goal – everything settles down and then we may be able to create something else.”

Arteta has said amid criticism of Martinelli: “We need wingers with ability to go one vs one, to attack the spaces, to have the work rate, to increase the goal threat from every position and we have players who can play in various positions in the front line, especially because we have some injuries there. In the past we have to be protected and all the players we have here have these qualities."

Girona pair of interest

Arsenal are said to be interested in deals to sign Girona pair Viktor Tsygankov and Miguel Gutierrez, who have also attracted attention from Aston Villa and Liverpool. That’s according to CaughtOffside, who say all three sides will watch the pair’s performances in Girona’s Champions League opener on Wednesday night.

Gutierres, a left-back, has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, while Ukrainian winger Tsygankov has been steadily attracting attention since his move from Dynamo Kyiv in 2023. It’s reported both players may be available for a combined fee of £63.1million.