Mikel Arteta has been told that, with Gabriel Martinelli’s new role, the Brazilian is poised to score plenty of goals and could well reclaim the ruthlessness he showed in 2022-23.
Since that brilliant goalscoring run, where he netted 15 times and registered five assists in 36 league games, Martinelli has struggled for consistency. Arteta has continued to rely on him in attack, but the winger has often failed to rise to the occasion.
Unable to replicate Bukayo Saka’s influence from the left, Martinelli has fallen out of favour at the Emirates, with growing calls for the club to step out of their comfort zone and secure a top-tier left winger.
Resurgence in recent games
Heading into the summer, many expected sporting director Andrea Berta to sign a Martinelli backup and cash in on the Arsenal number 11. But no reinforcement arrived, and Martinelli stayed.
While he did not start the season brightly, and some questioned why the club stuck with him, the past week has justified Arteta’s decision to hold on.
Martinelli appears to have rediscovered his spark, delivering two standout performances in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Athletic Club and the 1-1 draw with Manchester City – with Arteta critics calling him overcautious after the draw with Man City, as per SkySports.
Against Athletic, he came off the bench and immediately made an impact with a diagonal run behind the defence, breaking the deadlock before setting up Leandro Trossard to double the lead. In the draw with City, he made a near-identical run and scored the injury-time equaliser that denied City all three points.
Three goal contributions in two games have many believing Martinelli might be back. Still, some remain cautious about Arteta handing him a starting role, arguing he is best suited as a super sub.
Confidence boost
Whether Martinelli becomes a super sub or the finisher Arteta wants him to be, if he can score goals from the bench, then so be it. The Arsenal technical bench would welcome that, as they would love the fight in him. These goals should give Martinelli the confidence boost he needs to rediscover his form.
It is also worth noting that confidence, in football and beyond, is often tied to bold decision-making. Just as Arteta is now being encouraged to show bravery with his squad choices, fans and players alike know that taking risks is part of success. In sport, business, or even leisure activities such as exploring slots not on gamstop, the principle remains the same: fortune often favours the brave.
If Martinelli keeps delivering, it will not be long before he reclaims a starting spot in Arteta’s line-up.
