Mikel Arteta delivers cryptic Arsenal transfer update as striker deal imminent

Two stars set to leave north London before window slams shut

Mikel Arteta suggested Gabriel Jesus could be set to follow Gabriel Martinelli out of Arsenal before the end of the transfer window.

Martinelli is on the verge of completing his move to Al-Hilal for around £50million plus add-ons, with the Brazilian set to become Arsenal's record sale.

The Gunners are looking to finalise further departures in the coming days, with the club open to offers for Jesus, Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira.

Napoli have been linked with a move for Jesus, though Arsenal's valuation of £20m and his big wages have proved an obstacle.

Jesus was not involved in Arsenal's training session on Thursday morning, with Arteta hinting that uncertainty over his future at the club was a reason for that.

"It's something to do with the numbers that we have in the squad at the moment," Arteta said.

Transfer listed: Arsenal will listen to offers for Gabriel Jesus

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"And the way we are managing that kind of situation individually with all the players that have some personal situations."

Pressed on whether the context in Jesus' case was the player being close to leaving, Arteta replied: "Personal situations, whatever they are. I think that's clear."

Martinelli did train with his Arsenal team-mates despite his move to Saudi Arabia being imminent.

The 25-year-old was left out of the matchday squad for the Community Shield and Arsenal's first Premier League match of the season, with the club keen to make a significant sale this summer.

However, Arteta insisted any decisions on transfers would be made with the player's blessing.

On the way out: Gabriel Martinelli

"That's another personal situation we are dealing with," Arteta said of Martinelli.

"I think everybody knows and recognises how much we love Gabi. Whatever the outcome is, it will be because everybody agrees to that."

On the talks he has had with Martinelli and Jesus over their futures, Arteta added: "There are those conversations and those conversations go both ways.

"I'm very satisfied with how these conversations went because I know what is in each other's hearts and the words that come through in that conversation made me really happy.

"But it's inevitable that at some point you need to have certain discussions and say certain things that sometimes are tough."

Arsenal do not play until Monday night when they travel to Aston Villa, a day before the transfer window shuts.

Martinelli is likely to have left the club by then but Arteta stopped short of confirming his exit when asked to reflect on the forward's time at the club.

"Gabi is an Arsenal player and that's it," Arteta said.

"I don't think I should make any more comments about that. I understand the question, but it is not the moment to do that."