Simon Jordan has suggested Ian Wright would be in better mind to keep quiet about his claims about Arsenal’s treatment of Gabriel Martinelli.
Wright admitted he felt ‘uncomfortable’ with how the forward’s future is being dealt with at the Emirates Stadium.
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The Brazil international is set to join Saudi club Al Hilal having turned down a move to join Turkish champions Galatasaray earlier this summer.
The winger was omitted from the matchday squad for both the Community Shield victory over Manchester City and the Premier League opening night win against Coventry City.
Instead, summer signing Christos Tzolis featured in the starting lineup on the left-wing in both clashes.
Speaking after the game against the Sky Blues, Wright voiced his frustration on Sky Sports, saying: “With respect to Martinelli and the way he’s being treated at the moment, it really makes me uncomfortable.
“He always gives 100 per cent. We’re not saying he’s the greatest, but he’s come up with some big moments for Arsenal in big games, and the way he’s being treated at the end here.
“I know they might want him out, and there’s a lot of guys saying it’s time for him to move on, but there are ways of doing that should suit him as well.”
Wright elaborated on the cold shoulder treatment Martinelli is receiving, adding: “Not being in the squad tonight, not being spoken to, he doesn’t know what’s going on.”
He also added he had direct knowledge of the situation, saying: “Yes I do know this. Not being involved in the Community Shield squad, not being involved tonight, he doesn’t know what’s happening, and he’s got a year left.
“If you bring Vinicius Jr, Martinelli can say to himself, ‘okay they’ve brought him in and Tzsolis, so I might be third option’. But if you’re bringing in Tzolis and Noni Madueke’s there, you’re thinking to yourself, ‘I’ve got something to offer here’.
“So for him to be nowhere near it just makes me feel a bit sad for him. I think he’s done enough in this squad to be treated with a bit more respect than he’s being shown at the moment.”
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Jordan fires back
Former Crystal Palace owner Jordan expressed his confusion over the Wright’s comments, beginning on White and Jordan: “I don’t imagine it’s particularly informed.
“Unless he’s across the exact details of Arsenal’s behaviour, and the players’ perspective, which he may well be if he’s indicating it appears that he’s well aware of the players’ perspective.
“If so, maybe he’d be better served to perhaps keep his own counsel, because I’m not entirely sure what it’s got to do with him. I’m not entirely sure why he would think that Arsenal and Mikel Arteta aren’t capable of managing their players in an appropriate fashion.
“I don’t know what expertise he has in this, in his varied career of football administration that gives him this credence, besides the fact that people like Ian Wright and they take him at face value.
“I know him, so I have a different view of him. But the bottom line is, I think his opinion is rather uninformed and rather biased, and one-dimensional, because I don’t think there’s any indication that Arsenal don’t conduct themselves properly.”
The fee for Martinelli joining Al Hilal would push the Gunners’ summer sales into record territory, surpassing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s £40million departure to Liverpool in 2017.
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Jordan continued his defence of the Gunners’ management, as he said: “What he’s indicating is that this football club which is considered one of the statesmen of English football, isn’t acting properly. And I think that’s a rather strong allegation and I think he should wind his neck in a little bit.
“But maybe he thinks he’s in a position because of his new contract with Sky that people are going to hang on his every word.
“Guess what Arsenal do? They pay the player’s wages. So they’ve earned the privilege of either accepting a transfer for him, or while he’s not paying, he’ll be getting his £100,000 a week or whatever it is.
“Arsenal will, I suspect, conduct themselves appropriately, and have we got any evidence to suggest otherwise?”
Ian Wright defence
Martin Keown stepped in to partially side with his former teammate, noting: “I don’t think he needs to be battering Ian Wright. Ian loves the players — he’s shown that — and maybe he’s just taken it a step too far.”
Jordan held firm on his stance: “I think battering him is not what we’re doing here.”
He added: “I’m holding him to account for the things that he said. If you want to characterise what I’ve said, that’s up to you.
“What he has spoken about is the football club that he played for, and that you [Keown] played for, which you would think conducts itself appropriately.”
