23 Aug 2026 18:03:25
I'm not liking these rumours of our Martinelli going off to the Saudi Pro League. Surely he is still young enough to get an elite club?
I'm assuming of course that the Saudi Pro League standard is still behind elite European clubs? I stand corrected if I am wrong.
{Ed014's Note - I’m hoping if he does go it’s to a club of his choosing wherever that may be Sally.
I think it’s fair to say it’s not an elite league and a fair way behind I’d imagine.
23 Aug 2026 19:01:55
I feel sorry for Martinelli, he's served the club brilliantly ever since he joined us as a teenager, but football is a brutal industry, and sometimes players do what's best for themselves and force moves away from clubs who don't wish to sell them, and sometimes clubs force players out despite the player not wanting to leave.
I hope Martinelli stubbornly holds out until a move that suits him personally comes along, even if he has to wait until January or even next summer for that to happen. He's armed with a very good contract, so no one can actually force him to go anywhere he himself isn't happy to go to.
{Ed014's Note - my hope is simply we do the right thing by him.
I didn’t like hearing Wrighty say the club hadn’t even spoken to him.
23 Aug 2026 19:46:52
Hearing Wrighty's comments about the way Arteta and the club have treated Martinelli wasn't nice to hear, mate. I get managers have to make ruthless decisions if they want to be as successful as possible, but there should surely always be a place for treating players who have got you to where you are now with respect, even when they no longer fit in with your plans.
23 Aug 2026 20:51:34
Very true, but he knew what he was getting into, and on 180k per week. Plenty of players in the 70s and 80s were treated far worse, on far less money & took on more longterm injuries to the head that were unknown. He can stay put & bag his money. Players have far more power & it is a cold game, but look at his wage.
He earns more than the prime minister in two weeks. What’s he done so much special for us that he’s any different to Jesus, Vieira, Trossard, etc.? If you are in 9m per annum, you know the stakes are high. I’ve moved my family because of work, as did my dad. What’s the big deal? He gets to say no & on 9 yes nine million a year!
{Ed014's Note - if we want to move him on, I’ve no issue but would rather we did it the right way, that’s just my thoughts on it.