Arsenal fans think two first-team players are leaving after 'refusing' to take part in Community Shield celebrations

Arsenal supporters think two first-team players could leave the club after spotting what they did after the Community Shield.

Mikel Arteta’s side romped to a convincing 3-0 victory over Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City in Cardiff, Wales, on Sunday (August 16), with the Gunners going ahead after just one minute when Riccardo Calafiori took advantage of Myles Lewis-Skelly’s pinpoint pass, slotting past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The 2026 Premier League champions went 2-0 up on 28 minutes when Kai Havertz nodded home, with summer signing Christos Tzolis providing his first of two assists.

The Greek was involved in Arsenal’s third, setting up Martin Odegaard, whose fake shot sent Donnarumma to the floor before the Norway international slotted calmly to hand Arsenal a 3-0 win.

The triumph marked Arsenal’s 18th Community Shield, with Arteta appearing pleased with his side’s performance.

“I'm really happy, so happy with the performance, with the desire that we showed and the manner that we competed,” Arteta said after the match. “It was a good test for us to understand where we were, and to win it in a manner that we've done it against this opposition, I think credit to the boys.

“We wanted to attack the game - we talked about it very early yesterday. We prepared certain things we wanted to achieve in the game, and the execution of the boys was incredible.

“What I love is that we missed certain things because we are still far from perfect in certain areas, as some players are new and they don't have the timing right, but the way we tracked back, for example, and the way we went to certain actions, it was just a joy to watch.”

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And while most Arsenal players got involved with the post-match celebrations in the Welsh capital, footage later emerged showing Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri standing at the side of the pitch while their teammates lifted the Community Shield, convincing many that they could both leave the club.

Fans were quick to react on social media, with one saying: “I know we’re being ruthless and trying to sell players off to refresh the squad. But this is sad.”

Another added: “Nwaneri and Martinelli are GONE. Them man were borderline refusing to go over for the celebrations until Big Gabi called them over.”

A third commented: “They are going because they won’t get minutes, not because they are getting kicked out. Let them process things in their own way.”

A fourth claimed: “This kinda heartbreaking, Martinelli probably shed a tear. But it is what it is. That’s football, that’s life.”

Both players were omitted from the squad, with it widely reported that they are expected to leave before the September 1 transfer deadline.

Martinelli has been heavily linked with a move to Turkish giants Galatasaray, while Nwaneri, who spent last season on loan in France with Marseille, is of interest to several clubs across Europe, including AC Milan, RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund.

The Brazilian is under contract until 2027, while the Englishman’s current deal expires in 2030.

Arsenal return to action on Friday (August 21) when they face newly promoted Coventry City in their 2026/27 Premier League opener.

Mikel Arteta fighting with Premier League over squad size rule

Speaking after the Community Shield, Arteta put Gabriel Jesus, Martinelli and Nwaneri being left out of the matchday squad down to squad size limits.

“It’s really sad not to have the availability,” Arteta said.

“I’ve been fighting with the Premier League to extend, to accommodate more players in the squad, because it’s always tough.

“They deserve to be in the squad; there is no question. Ethan as well. Marli [Salmon] as well. He has done the whole pre-season with us.

“Hopefully we can change that rule, and players can enjoy on the pitch and be an option to play and contribute to the team as much as possible.”

When asked if the trio will feature moving forward, he added: “Yes, they are all very important for us.”