Martinelli is Not the Answer
Arsenal fans have a bad habit of worshipping players who are injured whenever the team is in a bad rut. We idolize the memories of those injured and expect them to come in and solve all of our problems.
Here’s the bitter truth: Gabriel Martinelli won’t immediately come in and solve our attacking woes, because our problem is not the absence of Martinelli’s passing or shooting or dribbling but the lack of the ball in the final third.
Haven’t you noticed that no one is shooting in this team because they don’t have the ball often enough in situations where they can shoot. This is a systematic issue with our progression of the ball. Aubameyang has averaged only 1 shot per game this season. How many goals do you think Martinelli can score from just having one shot a game?
This is not mentioning the fact that Martinelli is a teenager coming off from a long injury. For an example of how difficult it is to return to form after a long layoff, look no further than Hector Bellerin.
Bellerin has been superb on the attacking front this year but he was very much out of it after his return from injury last season. It was a slow, painful process to return to his level and it might likely be the same with Martinelli.
Rob Holding is another example of how long it might take a player to return to form after a long injury. It took Old Bighorn some months to get back to his best.
Martinelli might take some time to get to full speed again and knowing his age, it would be an imperative to not place an unhealthy amount of pressure on his shoulders. He must be allowed to be a kid while he can. We do not want another Wilshere, do we?
Agboola Israel
I have big hope for him….but if we keep going the way we are I see him and Saka being snapped up by a top team soon.
Martinelli won’t be ready for this season. As simple as that.
Maybe some cup games or EL
He is very close to a comeback already, however to include him in the Europa League squad another non homegrown player will have to be left out. So unless someone like kolasinac or mustafi is omitted, I think it’s more likely martinelli will play in the EPL rather than the EL
Until we better our movement, we won’t have enough good interplay to create clear chances to shoot.
For those who watched the Leeds game, they illustrated how good movement leads to quick one-twos and overlapping runs. It also helps to drag the opponent out of position and create space to attack
I really enjoy watching this young man play, he has everything you want in a player although its raw.
I havent enjoyed watching a player as much as him since CR7 came to the premier league.
We have a bright future with him, Saka and if he does come good, Pepe. I can see that being the forward line up in a season or 2
Martinelli has shown top qualities last year. Not only as a finisher, but as well as a technical impact player, able to carry fast balls forward.
Of course, he is coming back from a long-term injury, but his age and so called “non experience” are irrelevant. Just like Saka, he doesn’t seem that much impressed and his technique gives him the right level a confidence. Arteta needs to give him opportunities (as he did for Nketia, who is far less talented), and it is normal we expect a lot from him.
I disagree with the idea that our current goal drough is only due to a lack of service from midfield. Auba, Lacazette, Pepe, Nketia are either not in a good run or just not good enough to create chances on their own. Martinelli showed last year he was able to be a key player, and it is normal we expect from him, just like ManU is expecting from Greenwood or Chelsea from Abraham or Mount.
Sound comment. Martinelli showed more than Nketiah without a doubt. If we can’t count on him why is he here in 1st team not U-23?
Pressure makes diamonds and this lad is a gem. He handled things well 1st go around, sure he’ll do the same.