When Gabriel Martinelli first broke onto the scene, his goal-scoring instincts were hard to ignore. Many Premier League fans believed that with his sharp finishing and natural eye for goal, Martinelli would eventually evolve into a top-class striker. However, he has since been deployed primarily as a winger, a role in which he hasn’t been consistently excelling. This raises the question: Should Mikel Arteta consider giving Martinelli a chance to play as Arsenal’s No. 9 in their upcoming match against Tottenham?
With Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, needing to find someone to fill the left-central midfield position (LCM) against Tottenham due to the absence of both Declan Rice and Mikel Merino, it’s likely he’ll turn to Kai Havertz. Havertz, with his physical presence and recent momentum, seems like the ideal choice for that role. However, this leaves the question of who will lead the line as a striker in such an important fixture.
Gabriel Jesus, who has been recovering from an injury, may not be fit to start in the North London Derby. While Arsenal has other attacking options, it’s surprising that Martinelli, the team’s No. 11, hasn’t been considered more seriously for the striker position.
There are several reasons why Martinelli might not be performing at his best on the left wing. One factor could be the lack of stability in the personnel around him on that side of the pitch, leading to inconsistency. Additionally, it’s been suggested that Arteta has instructed Martinelli to play wider, keeping him further away from goal, which has impacted his ability to increase his goal contributions.
Former Premier League striker Troy Deeney has also criticized Martinelli, suggesting that he is too focused on scoring and isn’t doing enough to create chances for his teammates. But instead of viewing this as a negative, perhaps Arsenal could use this hunger for goals to their advantage by giving Martinelli the role of leading the attack against Spurs.
With his speed and lethal finishing, Martinelli could pose a significant threat to Tottenham’s defense, which is now managed by Ange Postecoglou. While there’s no denying that Martinelli is an incredibly talented player, it’s also clear that his confidence has taken a hit recently. Giving him a shot as the central striker in such a high-profile game could not only reignite his self-belief but also help him get back on the scoresheet, boosting his form for the rest of the season.
An Arsenal front three consisting of Leandro Trossard, Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka sounds like a dynamic and exciting attacking force. This combination could provide the firepower Arsenal needs to challenge Spurs effectively. Do you agree that Martinelli deserves a chance to play as the No. 9 and regain his confidence in such a crucial fixture?