Is it time for Arsenal to give Martinelli a well-earned rest?

(Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Lately, Gabriel Martinelli has not been as productive as many would have expected. Yes, he provides a quick outlet for Arsenal’s attack, but as shown against Liverpool and in the last few games, he frequently failed to make the correct decision in the final third.

Martinelli didn’t play his best game at Anfield; he simply needs to improve, and some games on the bench may be beneficial. Yes, he is Arteta’s first choice, but playing the same player in every match rarely yields the best results.

On the left wing, Leandro Trossard and Reiss Nelson can be tested. Though there are concerns about the Belgian, he isn’t as quick as Martinelli and has frequently failed to provide what the Brazilian does when he comes on as a substitute. But we can assume that if he starts, Mikel Arteta will come up with a game plan that will allow him to thrive.

Remember we asked if Reiss Nelson, who excelled against PSV in Arsenal’s final Champions League group B game, deserved a chance to play more? Many believed in that game that the Hale End Graduate was the real deal, but he just doesn’t get enough chances to show us what he’s all about.

Martinelli has been fantastic in the past, but he deserves a break and some time away to recharge, and either one of Leandro Trossard or Reiss Nelson to replace him in the West Ham game and even the Fulham game before the year closes.

Jack Anderson


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Tags Gabriel Martinelli

31 Comments

    1. Agreed too👌
      Matinelli is becoming too comfortable, a break would help him re-invent himself. Trossard can be a big competitor with ESR.

  1. I caution fans and esp the article writer against wanting dangerous attackers dropped quite so blithely as THIS article suggests.
    IMO, neither Trossard and esp Nelson are in Martinellis class, though I do agree he has been SLIGHTLY, only slightly, below his best of late.

    Wise managers do not rest top class players without REAL cause and I do not agree the cause is yet REAL. I WOULD KEEP MARTINELLI IN PLACE.

    1. I agree with you. Martinelli is one of our top performers. Resting him can not improve him. He has not been completing matches of recent. Tgst is enough rest. If there is a better alternative fine. But I’m not seeing. Nelson can’t play there Good enough.

  2. A rest should give him a refreshing break. I’d play Leo Trossard against West Ham and use Marinelli as a super-sub.

  3. Think we should play Martinelli through the middle three to five times before we break him, that would give the gaffer a better angle to measure his progress.

    1. Nice catch.. Resting Martinelli with Havertz suspended against West Ham is a recipe for disaster. Trossard is not as defensively stoic as Martinelli..
      However Arteta can bring in Jorginho and push Rice to the LCM role . Gives us a bit of balance.
      I agree that Nelli needs to just watch the game from the bench for some games.
      Have him rewatch his clips from previous games and reintroduce him into the first team by mid January.

      There’s a worldClass, Balon D’or-contending winger in there.. I want him to achieve that at Arsenal..

  4. Jack Anderson.
    While I will not disagree with you in your opinion of one of Reiss Nelson and Liandro Trossard should start the Arsenal Epl home and away matches against West Ham and to Fulham. So that regular match starter Martinelli can have a 2 game off rest. Or start the 2 matches from the bench.
    But would Arteta take an unforced risk decision to trust one of Nelson and Trossard to start the West Ham and Fulham matches respectively?
    For, a moment of show of brilliance by Martinelli for Arsenal against West Ham and to Fulham can result to goals scored for Arsenal by him or assists provided that does win the 2 matches for a massive 6 points garnering.
    Therefore, saved, the unforeseen that compelled Arteta to bench/drop Martinelli for Nelson or Trossard to start the next 2 Arsenal Epl matches. I honestly don’t foresee Arteta not start Martinelli for West Ham and Fulham.

  5. Well. it seems our left side has been having problems lately.

    Zinc’s defending was exposed against Liverpool.

    Nellie’s attacking game appears to be problematic, which was highlighted in the Liverpool game.

    Once more it is my belief both these players are missing the play of Xhaka, when he played on the left side of midfield.

    People may trumpet Havertz’s play, but it is what he does not do that causes problems, especially for Nellie and Zinc.

    1. Nice catch.. Resting Martinelli with Havertz suspended against West Ham is a recipe for disaster. Trossard is not as defensively stoic as Martinelli..
      However Arteta can bring in Jorginho and push Rice to the LCM role . Gives us a bit of balance.
      I agree that Nelli needs to just watch the game from the bench for some games.
      Have him rewatch his clips from previous games and reintroduce him into the first team by mid January.

      There’s a worldClass, Balon D’or-contending winger in there.. I want him to achieve that at Arsenal..

    2. Havertz has been brilliant the last couple of games but it’s true that he’s a bit negative, (or maybe safe is a better way to put it) in the way he plays..
      Nelli makes a movement hoping for a pass from Havertz , Havertz passes sideways or backwards..

      I’m. Not the coach but if Timber or Tomi returns, I’ll try Zinny in the LCM role. With Martinelli in front of him and Timber/Tomi behind him. Zinny is very progressive.. will help Nelli’d attacking playing a lot

  6. Form is temporary, class is permanent. That’s what we say in football, isn’t it?
    Martinelli is only suffering from a temporary drop in form, as are a few other of our players, as a matter of fact. Dropping him suddenly may not be good for his confidence. The coaches only need to work with him to correct some of the flaws we have noticed of him. Example is holding too long on the ball.

    1. Great what you said. However, sometimes it’s hard to see what you are doing wrong in the thick of the battle.. Time off to look at things from a different perspective(from the bench)can give you a new outlook and a better way becomes much easier to see..

  7. Arteta is to partially blamed for Martinelli’s drop in form. He not managed him very well seasons with frequent substitutions. Besides, Havertz does not give Martinelli the confidence Xhaka used to give.
    Nevertheless, he remains one of top players.
    Trossard does well when he comes on because he finds opposition players tired

  8. Martinelli form is an issue. Early in the season he was isolated and not getting any service so it could be ignored but in the last couple of games he has had many chances and made the wrong choice almost every time.

    Maybe try him at 9 and play jesus on the left. They can still interchange and Martinelli is closer to goal.

    1. I don’t know which Martinelli you’re talking about. Our left wing is the one that gets balls in the opposition box all the time. Saka is the one who’s monolithic in his thinking, trying to score with every ball, and passing too late or losing the ball completely. No one pushes defences as much as Martinelli, consistently opening up spaces for our very tired star boy Saka, and Odergaard to score. Let’s be fair in our assessments.

  9. Am also of the view that Martinelli need some kind of rest but on one condition. If arsenal could kill games as early as possible, say having 3-0 in the half hour mark then Gabi can be withdrawn to allow Trossard or Nelson come in but Arteta can’t sub Gabi where we are looking for that winner because he keeps defenders on their toes

  10. Extends Nelsons contract claiming he has big plans for him…..never rotates and barely even plays him nevermind starts 🤣 can’t make it up

  11. 1 of the main issues with not having a proper left back, besides horrific defending the left side is isolated.

    People easily forget the wonders Martinelli has produced over the past few years with little support, we just got used to it. Time for MA to put his ego aside and get a proper left back, this inverted “tactic” is a big part of the LW issue.

    1. Of course for the usual hater its arteta ego that’s the problem. Are we supposed to close our eyes and forget that tomi plays the difficult fixtures like Liverpool when fit.
      Should also forget that timber started both his matches at left back. But sure blame arteta.

  12. A little attention, I mean a clear mind in the final, and clearly more team-oriented at the right time. This does not need a break…. he has the freshness. The one who definitely needs a break is Saka,If you think about it, what you wrote about Martínez is better suited to the sacca, who really He can neither pass nor score or anything. He takes The ball, two or three sharp steps, he tries to find a way out with speed, to shoot at the goal, and nothing else, and of course nine times out of ten he is cut and we lose the ball… he has to go on the bench quickly. It will do him good to come as a substitute for two or three matches. I wonder how f no one sees that. It’s obvious… what because he’s called a star? Above all, the interest of the team. I think Arteta would never have the guts to do that.

  13. He needs to learn to release the ball faster and make better decisions offensively and defensively. However, Martinelli is the only current Arsenal player who consistently breaks the defensive line in the game. Saka does so but not at his level and consistency.More than half of our corners are won this way and this significantly contributes to our offensive play.

  14. Like every player, Martinelli, Saka,, Rice, Odergaard will need a break of one game or two in order to recharge and yearn to play. This is when Nwaneri, and his academy mates should then be given a run, and not players we are looking to release. There’s absolutely no sense in giving Elneny and Soares playtime ahead of our prospects.

  15. Regarding giving Martinelli a rest, I’m reminded of the winter break – albeit a short one – that comes into operation after the 3rd round of the FACup. That should give tired legs and minds a chance to recuperate

  16. Martineli needs no rest, he’s doing really well,
    We need to consider certain things, Zinchenko is vulnerable,Havertz isn’t covering effectively, all this means Martineli is alone alot of times, his triangle isnt as effective as White, Odegaard and Saka,
    Opponents have seriously doubled on Martineli, he’s our fastest player.
    Once we have Partey back, Rice would play the LCM role effectively completing the triangle 🔺️, we can then have Havertz as CF, Saka could get some rest also,

  17. Martinelli carries the ball really well, what he really needs to work on is his decision making. Sometimes that extra dribble isn’t necessary and it’s better for that early pass. His opposite no, saka excells at that and the reason why him (Saka) has more goals and assists.

    1. Saka has White who is helping him with overlapping while Martineli has to do it all alone because of the inverted tactics in the left side so the difference is quite clear to see that’s why Saka is performing better and has more goals and assist than Martineli hope that helps you see the difference on both players.

  18. Martinelli has looked tired and even at his best, his final ball/shot are very poor. He is an handful at best. He needs a rest and Trossard is an able player and a better team player and finisher.

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