Kevin Campbell has reacted to the possibility of Gabriel Martinelli playing as a number 9 for Arsenal.
The Brazilian has been one of the club’s finest attackers, but he usually plays from the left side.
He has been effective in cutting in from there to score or create chances.
However, Mikel Arteta is dealing with a striker shortage after losing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the January transfer window.
The Gunners have to wait until the summer before adding new players to their squad.
With a top-four place to pursue, they are looking for immediate solutions and Martinelli could be brought in as a number 9.
Ex-Gunner, Campbell believes the club would have to change how it plays before they can use the Brazilian as their leading striker.
He tells Football Insider: “I think Arsenal would have to change the way they play if he were to lead the line.
“His strength is playing off the shoulder and running in behind. I think Mikel Arteta would have to tweak his system if Lacazette were to drop out of the side – or maybe he is to play with Martinelli in a two.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
It would be great to see Martinelli thrive as a number nine and that could mean he scores more goals for the club.
The Brazilian has done admirably well in his role from the wing so far and he would want to impress in a new position.
It would be interesting to see if it helps him score more often than now.
I would rather leave him on the left, our tactics don’t fair well for strikers so I’d rather not take the chance of rendering him less effective.
The advantage of playing him upfront is that we can get ESR back into the starting line-up.
Agree completely with your take, and Martinelli is well suited to play as a winger. He takes on defenders, can cross or cut inside, and always tracks back to help out the defense.
Unfortunately the tactics over the last 2 years have been a black hole for anyone playing striker. We rarely play through the middle, the play is rarely direct and Arteta likes the static positioning and crossing from the wings with fullbacks.
Add to that strikers having to drop back deeper into the midfield because the build up is shambles switching from defending to attacking.
Until the tactics change, a shiny new striker won’t catapult us into competing for the title.
Dear admin, why are my comments deleted? I’m a longtime Arsenal fan and I admire your work on this blog.
I’ve only deleted one that was incomprehensible….
OK. there must have been some mistake in the translation, thanks for replying.
Not sure he is a no9, he isnt disciplined enough and he could get isolated against a lower defensive team. Would be great against an high line but teams wouldn’t afford him that privilege.
I presume that one time journeyman player KEVIN CAMPBELL now owns JA.
What other possible reason could there be for his constant state the blee***g obvious statements being lauded by those running JA as if they were pearls of wisdom, instead of the dull comments of a very average , to put it politely, BRAIN.