As we all know, Arsenal face a massive game today against high-flying Sheffield United at home, and we have to do it without our top scorer Aubameyang after his red card. When we have discussed on here as to who will play in the Gunners forward line in Auba’s absence, it would seem that the concensus feels that Martinelli should be the most deserved of our youngsters to play today, alongside Pepe and Lacazette.
But it seems that Mikel Arteta has got other ideas as he has spoken out saying that he wants Reiss Nelson to step up and prove he can play “every three days”, so it sounds like he intends to make him a regular starter in our line-up.
The Boss told Arsenal.com: “I know Reiss because I coached him when he was 16 and straightaway he caught my eye,” Arteta said. “He is a boy that is willing to learn and loves the game but I think he has been a little bit confused in the last few years – what direction he had to take, some of the decisions that he made.
“Now I can see that he really wants it and I think he has the potential to do whatever he wants. He needs guidance, he needs a little bit of a stick, and he’s up for it. I put him to play and I trust him because he wants it and I think he can deliver.
“He needs to take responsibility as well. If he wants to play for this club every three days when yo have to step in there you have to be almost perfect and at the moment I see this kind of attitude and desire.
“If he wants to do it, wants to learn and wants to challenge himself he can be a top, top player for this football club. At the moment I think he is on the right path, with the right attitude and then there are a lot of factors, he needs to deal with pressure, deliver every three days, score more goals and make the difference more for the team because he has the quality to do that.”
Now, as you know, I am not sure that all Arsenal fans will agree with Arteta on this one, especially after watching Martinelli impress every time he gets a chance and the young Brazilian also always seems to get on the scoresheet.
It would appear that we are going to have to trust Arteta on this, as it is him that watches all his players in training every day so should know their strengths, but for me Nelson’s record so far this season does not suggest he is ready to be a regular starter at all, whereas Martinelli has proven himself regularly.
It will be interesting to see Arteta’s team selection in a few hours.-….
Martinelli
I bet Arteta would start Nelson ahead of Pepe, after watching Pepe’s lack of responsibility in the first half of the Palace game
Nelson will be great to tire Enda Stevens out, before Pepe comes with his bag of tricks in the second half
I just wish we would have a lamp post in Sheffield United’s penalty box, after sixty minutes in the game. A big target man will reduce the opponents’ intimidation on our small attackers
Not all teams have big target mans.
It is an advantage but not having them is not a disadvantage in my opinion.It is all in how the strikers use their body,their positioning,the runs they make etc.Aguero can be a good example.
i get your point but i would like arsenal to capitalize on what they have.
If Arsenal’s system is as established as Barcelona’s, Real Madrid’s, Liverpool’s or Man City’s, Arsenal will not need another Giroud or Carsten Jancker
Unfortunately the system is not mature yet, so we need to change our tactic in the second half to keep the lead or to bypass the opposition’s bus
I will rather give our adaptation time and our players(what we have) chances than trying a “lamp post”.
Also every team took time to establish their systems but MA has already got the players into his philosphy so we definitely should trust in what hes doing.
And again i got your point but i like to argue with clever people,not for just timepass but to increase my football knowledge.You are way good,thanx man👍
Martinelli should start ahead of nelson
so I would love to see Martinelli playing alongside laca and Pepe then nelson and saka should come in at 60mins
Don’t understand how MA’s comment about Reiss is a hint that he’ll be the one to replace Auba.
Aubs and Reid’s, are they playing same position? Give it to Martinelli. The boy can play and score.