Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is facing questions from within the club after sidelining Gabriel Martinelli.

Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has the backing of his team-mates following his harsh exclusion by manager Mikel Arteta.

According to a fresh report, the Brazilian's expected departure from North London after seven years has created “discomfort” in the dressing room at Emirates Stadium, with Arsenal players said to have shown “plenty of sympathy” towards their colleague.

While ESPN Brazil reports that Martinelli is understandably unhappy with the situation, The Mirror says the issue may run deeper at London Colney, with team-mates supporting the 25-year-old.

Arsenal are currently trying to sign Julian Alvarez late in the final days of the transfer window, although FourFourTwo understands the deal is difficult, with the Argentine not presently keen on a return to England.

Martinelli, meanwhile, is close to completing a move to Al Hilal after turning down a transfer to Galatasaray, having not appeared in either of Arsenal's opening two matches of the season.

The winger was last included in an Arsenal squad during pre-season, after being left out of the Community Shield in Cardiff and then again omitted by Arteta from the matchday squad against Coventry City as the champions started their title defence.

In both matches so far, new signing Christos Tzolis has started on the left wing for Arsenal, with Eberechi Eze coming on in his place last Friday night against the Championship winners in a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Martinelli joined the North London club in 2019 under former manager Unai Emery, but became an established regular under Arteta during Arsenal's rise back up the table.

After scoring 15 league goals in 2022/23, it appeared the Brazilian would kick on and continue his development, but Martinelli has somewhat stalled and last season managed only a single strike in the club's first league triumph in 22 years.

This is not the first time Arteta has sidelined a player or shown a ruthless streak while trying to move on a star. Former record signings Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil were both left out of the squad before their contracts were terminated, while goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale lost his place to David Raya in a decision that felt controversial at the time.

Although Arteta insisted that Ramsdale and Raya were competing for the same position, the England international made only two league appearances in his final season, both against Brentford when the on-loan Raya was cup-tied.

FourFourTwo understands that Arteta still retains the strong support and backing of the entire squad, with no indication or suggestion whatsoever of any dressing-room mutiny.

According to Transfermarkt, Martinelli is valued at €45m. Arsenal return to Premier League action against Aston Villa next weekend.