Martin Keown is full of praise for Gabriel Martinelli after the teenager earned a long-overdue recall to the Arsenal team and says he should remain in the lineup now.
Martinelli has been one of the bright players at Arsenal in the last two campaigns.
He suffered a long-term injury towards the end of last season and has only just returned to full fitness.
He has been missing from the Arsenal team since his return and fans have been calling for him to play.
Mikel Arteta started the teenager in the game against Sheffield United and he repaid the decision with a fine all-round display and a goal.
The attacker will hope to retain his place in the team for Arsenal’s game against Slavia Prague.
Speaking on BT Sport via Mail Sport, Keown stated that he has been clamouring for the attacker to be in the team and says he has shown he deserves a place in it.
‘I’ve almost felt like I’ve been signing a petition to get him (Martinelli) in the team. He’s a great talent,’ Keown said.
‘We have to look at it and say ok, has there been any underlying injury? Are there other reasons why he’s not been in the team? But now he’s in the team, I think he vindicates that selection and he should stay in the team.
‘I don’t think you can take him out now.’
Martinelli, Tierney, Saka and ESR are are a core to build around.
We have decent squad players to keep around in Holding and hopefully rejuvenated Chambers.
And lets hope Balogun and Azeez step up as well.
Nice, homegrown core there.
Not all young stars can make Arsenal squad to be strong enough. Martinelli is the best among all young stars and Saka is good as well though he gets tired fast always.
Smith Rowe is not that good that we can depend on, he needs more time and to play him on 10 position it’s just killing the team.
And please Mikel Arteta you can sell the rest of the young stars or loan them.
He has to play and compete Auba to that position.
OT.AMN having a very good game for WBA against Southampton.Playing in central midfield with Okay Yokuslu, a Turkish international who is highly impressive.Aged 27, 6’3″ and on loan from Celta Vigo who are keen to sell him in the summer window as they need the money This guy is some player.
I would play Martinelli thru to the end of the season, if for no other reason than his work rate. However, I still think Arsenal need to acquire a center forward in the off-season to replace Lacazette. I fear he would become another albatross like Auba and Willian, if we keep him. We need to find someone young and quick, who has not been hampered in the past by injuries.
I totally disagree with you on selling Lacazette. Why sell him when he’s probably our most potent threat going forward? We’ll be making the same mistake we did with Martinez.
It all depends on what Lacazette requires in wages to extend/renew his contract.
Arteta, needs to create competition in Arsenal the young lads e ready to compete against the comfortable retired trustees, give the lads minutes, we need a fair competition
Players like Bolugun,Nelson,Azziz & Matinelli they could provide us the creative firepower we need upfront, unless indeed it’s through that our couch is not sure what what he wants from the players