We all enjoyed Martinelli’s performance against Paraguay. Can he replicate that form at Arsenal?
If you were watching Gabriel Martinelli for the first time during Brazil’s clash with Paraguay, you couldn’t help but ask: where has this talent been hiding?
The Arsenal winger embodied everything fans expect from Brazilian football, fluid, instinctive, and electrifying.
In an attacking setup built around movement and rotations, he looked like an entirely different player.
Is Arsenal’s system holding him back?
Could this be what’s been missing at Arsenal? A consistent left-sided central midfielder, a mobile and athletic striker, and an overlapping left-back might be the key to unlocking this version of Martinelli more often.
While Arsenal have excelled with their right-sided combinations through Saka, Ødegaard, and White, the left flank has often lacked cohesion. This match raised important questions about whether Arteta’s system restricts Martinelli’s natural strengths.
Martinelli vs Paraguay: performance breakdown
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Blocked shots: 1 (most in the match)
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Minutes played: 90
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Goals: 0
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Assists: 0
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Touches: 58
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Accurate passes: 29 (82.9%)
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Key passes: 0
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Accurate long balls: 1/1
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Accurate crosses: 2/4
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Total shots: 2
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Shots on target: 0
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Tackles: 1
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Interceptions: 0
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Clearances: 1
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Dribbles: 3/6
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Ground duels won: 7/11
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Crosses: 2/4
Martinelli thrives when playing instinctively
Despite occasional criticism from Arsenal fans, Martinelli remains a top-quality winger. He has also been subject to interest from AC Milan this summer. Arsenal’s right-sided dominance has often pushed him to the periphery, limiting his ability to influence games.
But against Paraguay, he played with instinct, reminiscent of his early days at the Emirates. He showed maturity, work rate, and a willingness to take on defenders. The tools are all there.
What he needs now is the platform to cut loose while still maintaining his intensity. If Arteta can find that balance, we might see Martinelli become one of the Premier League’s most dangerous left-wingers.
Can Arsenal create the conditions to unleash Martinelli’s full potential next season, Gooners?
Daniel O
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Yes we can with another creative number ten.
Releasing him at his prime age is maybe unwise decision. But he’s one of Arsenal players whose moves have become predictable and his progress stagnated. If Arsenal bring in a player who threatens his place, we’ll surely see the best of Martinelli. He and Saka need intense competitions in their respective places. Lack of competition is killing both players.
Tough one!!!!! He is a handful but is not very clever and can not hit a barn door from 6 paces. Its not what he brings, its what he fails to do, when he should. You can not play football with your head down. I am afraid he does.
Reggie, you see him as a handfull, but runs with his head down…. so who’s job is it to coach him not to do so?
I take your suggestion that he can’t hit a barn door with a pinch of salt, as I’ve personally witnessed him scoring great goals, but it’s my question I’d like you to address please.
Ken, if you have witnessed great goals, you also witnessed horrific finishes.
Like every other player, even the likes of Henry!!
So, about the question?
You are really comparing Martinelli with Henry?
No Reggie, as you well know!!
So how about answering the question?
Reggie, Ken is just trying to say that everyone misses easy shots, including the likes of Henry.
And his head is down because he has been poorly managed not because he can’t shoot.
There is still no comparison with Henry.
Ken1945,
All strikers miss chances, it’s just the best one’s miss far fewer, I think it’s fair to say.👍
Yep, that’s fair to say, so what I’m saying to Reggie is this, who, at the club, has been sorting this out?
We have one of the best prospects in the world, in my opinion, out on the LW position, who needs to be coached properly, but Reggie doesn’t seem to want to answer who’s responsibility that is at the club for some reason.
TJ sums it up perfectly!!
Martinelli would thrive in a counter attacking side, certainly if arsenal spent less time building it’s attacks you would see far more goals and assists from him.
Gyokeres also would do well in a counterattacking structure. So would Saka. Maybe we just need to change our gameplay and hope for the best.