ARSENAL outcast Lucas Torreira gave a hilarious response after discovering Gabriel Martinelli had been handed the No11 shirt.
Torreira was stripped of the number in an apparent signal that the on-loan Fiorentina man would be leaving the club for good this summer.
Although the 26-year-old seemed to have other plans.
Replying to Arsenal’s Instagram post unveiling Martinelli as the new No11, Torreira joked: “What number will I wear next year? Good luck amigo @gabriel.martinelli. I love you.”
Torreira had been expected to sign for Fiorentina on a permanent deal after an eye-catching loan spell in Serie A.
Martinelli has been rewarded with a new number after establishing himself as a first-team regular under Mikel Arteta this season.
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The 20-year-old had worn No35 since arriving from Ituano in 2019.
Torreira wore No11 on his back after joining the Gunners from Sampdoria in 2018.
But after he left on loan in 2020 the shirt was worn by Martin Odegaard during his loan spell last season, and it has been vacant this term.
While Torreira seemingly expected to reclaim the jersey, Arsenal it appears have moved on.
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The fact that Martinelli has been handed the No11 has left some fans convinced that Gabriel Jesus is on his way to the Emirates.
The club have left the No9 and No14 shirts free in an apparent signal that attacking reinforcements are on their way this summer.
Martinelli had previously called for the No14 shirt after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left to join Barcelona earlier this year.
Arsenal unveiled their 2022-23 home shirts this morning, with the design incorporating a zig-zag on the collar.
Arteta’s stars will wear the brand new kit in Sunday’s season finale at home to Everton.
£5 from every shirt bought by fans will go to The Arsenal Foundation.
