Mikel Arteta admits two Arsenal stars want more game time in title run-in
Arteta has left the two out of his starting XI in recent weeks (Picture: Getty)
Mikel Arteta says Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus are happy at Arsenal but are eager for more game time at the club.
The Brazil stars have lost their places in the starting XI during the Premier League title run-in with Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz preferred by Arteta as the Gunners seek their first league title in 20 years.
Arteta is convinced the pair are happy at the club as they aim to end Manchester City’s dominance of English football but acknowledged every member of his squad wants to be playing week-in, week-out.
He told ESPN Brasil: ‘I think there are two parts. One, they’re happy because of where we are as a team and what we’re fighting for. And another, because now they want to play, everyone wants to play.
‘Everyone who doesn’t play everything wants to play more. But that’s my decision and what I feel at each time.
‘Both of them have been super important this season, and will also be these two remaining games and this is what this is about, when you have the moment you have to talk on the field and you have to say it on the field.’
Jesus, who joined Arsenal from City in 2022, has managed just four Premier League goals this season with reports recently suggesting the club will consider letting him go this summer.
Jesus and Martinelli have scored 10 league goals between them (Picture: Getty)
Arteta strongly dismissed those claims in his press conference last week, now suggesting injuries and losing momentum have been problematic for his striker.
‘The thing is that he has played a lot here. With me, he played a lot,” Arteta said.
‘And with me he has been very, very important. And it’s true that when he hasn’t played it was first because something has happened before and almost always that thing that has happened before has been an injury that has lost his momentum, and then the team has jumped and that must also be respected.
‘But this is about showing out again and regaining his place, and that’s what’s important.’
Arsenal head to Manchester United on Sunday.
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