Five Arsenal stars left out of squad for Community Shield with futures in major doubt amid transfer interest

MIKEL ARTETA left five senior attackers out of his Community Shield squad amid doubts surrounding their Arsenal futures. Rodri and Savinho, meanwhile, were omitted by new Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca as transfer speculation continues to surround them. Mikel Arteta took his side to Cardiff for the Community Shield Credit: Getty Rodri could leave Man City this month Credit: Getty The Gunners and City headed to Cardiff for this year’s Community Shield, with Wembley unavailable due to The Weeknd concerts. Not included were Brazilian duo Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli and youngster Ethan Nwaneri, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Marseille. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! All three are believed to be fit and featured in Wednesday night’s friendly against Como at the Emirates. Arteta opted to start Noni Madueke, Christos Tzolis and Kai Havertz as his front three, with attackers Eberechi Eze, Max Dowman, Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres on the bench. Gabriel Jesus was in action against Como in mid-week Credit: Getty Gabriel Martinelli arrives at the Millennium Stadium despite not playing Credit: Getty Jesus, 29, has been strongly linked with a move to Italian side Napoli. Martinelli, meanwhile, was subject of a bid from Galatasaray, although the winger has rejected a move to Turkey. Nwaneri is expected to depart Arsenal before the end of the summer window. The BBC claim that the 19-year-old has interest from abroad – with AC Milan, RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund keen – and from Fulham in the Prem. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Ethan Nwaneri arrives at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff Credit: Arsenal FC via Getty Images Other Gunners forward options not involved in Cardiff were Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira. Both outcasts have played in pre-season but are not expected to represent Arsenal this term. Nelson spent last season on loan at Brentford, while Vieira played for Hamburg. Both players have just one year remaining on their Arsenal contracts. Reiss Nelson was in action against Real Betis in Dublin Credit: Arsenal FC via Getty Images Fabio Vieira played against Como in mid-week Credit: Getty Images City, meanwhile were also without key man Rodri. The Spaniard only arrived back in Manchester this week following an extended break after winning the World Cup. Despite being involved in the World Cup up to the third-place play-off, Rayan Cherki and Marc Guehi were fit enough to take a place on the bench. But Rodri was not involved amid intense interest from Barcelona. The 30-year-old has one year left on his City deal and is claimed to want to leave the Etihad in the coming weeks. Savinho was also left out of Maresca’s first matchday squad as he chases a move to Tottenham. The Brazilian is eager to link with the North Londoners but the two clubs are yet to agree a fee. Savinho impressed during City’s tour of the Far East but appears to be on his way out of the Etihad. Savinho is eager to leave City for Tottenham this month Credit: AFP Comment now