Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has made it clear that Gabriel Martinelli is set to remain at the Emirates Stadium, despite ongoing speculation regarding his future.
The Brazilian forward has been the subject of transfer rumours in recent weeks, largely fuelled by the club’s decision to bring in Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace. The England international enjoyed an outstanding campaign last season and is expected to provide serious competition for a starting berth on the left-hand side of Arsenal’s attack.
Martinelli, who endured an inconsistent season by his standards, struggled to replicate the form that had previously made him one of the Premier League’s most exciting young wingers. Arsenal, meanwhile, were seeking greater depth and creativity in wide areas, which ultimately led to the signing of Eze. Given the circumstances, it was natural for questions to arise over Martinelli’s role and long-term position in the squad.
Arteta Emphasises Martinelli’s Importance
However, Arteta has now shut down talk of an exit, stressing the importance of retaining quality options across multiple positions. The Spaniard emphasised that Martinelli remains a vital part of his plans and will continue to feature prominently as the Gunners challenge on several fronts this season. He highlighted the need for competition within the squad, explaining that having players of different profiles allows the team to adapt to varying tactical demands and opposition threats.
Speaking to the club’s official channels, Arteta said:
“No, I think Gabi has been a super important player for us and he’s going to remain very, very, very important. The fact that we have options with different qualities, that’s going to fulfil what we want, because every opponent is going to require different things and then the state, the moment, the way that those players are impacting the game – that competition is needed. We have him in many other areas on the pitch and he’s needed, especially in the front line, to start the game and to finish the game. So, I’m very happy with what we have.”
Competition for Places Could Benefit Arsenal
Looking ahead, the onus is now on Martinelli to raise his performance levels and re-establish himself as a regular starter. With Eze pushing hard for a place in the line-up, the competition is expected to be fierce. Yet such internal battles are exactly what Arteta believes will drive the squad to higher standards and help Arsenal sustain their push for silverware.
While it may prove challenging for Martinelli to secure a guaranteed spot in the team, his versatility, energy, and direct style of play mean he will remain a crucial asset as the season unfolds.
I think martinelli needs to be on the bench and learn in order to raise his game to higher standards
Martinelli, this year’s targeted player. Those at the club want him to stay, he wants to stay, a lot of the fanbase wants him to stay. He’s going to stay. He’s a player that offers something different, both he and MA know that, he’ll appreciate the fact we have a big squad and he’ll be rotated to meet the demands of each game – which will help him improve his all-round abilities. He’s been recorded in the top 5 PL pace-setters already this season, after just one game. He may also be our best option if Gyokeres gets injured/needs a rest.
Can’t we just let him get on with it instead of constantly looking to find issue with him?
@MM
Thank you…👏🏾
MM, perfectly put my friend, but, as you know, a section of our fans will always need a scapegoat to vent their frustrations on and, this time it’s Martinelli.
Worth around £50 / £60 million, a Brazilian International, played in nearly every game over the last three seasons and valued very highly by the manager… but, supposedly, hasn’t got a footballing brain!!
MM, I couldn’t have said it better 👍👏👏
Cheers guys, always good to know there’s others that appreciate our needlessly under-fire players. I don’t think any player is above criticism, but I don’t think any player should be routinely subjected to such – unless it’s proven they are regularly costing us in important moments both in performance and attitude, and we don’t have players like that any more.
There seems to be two ways to have a great squad currently, do the Real, PSG, Man City way of having 10-14 world class players, and some versatile back-ups that don’t drop the level too low. Or, there’s the way teams like ourselves and Liverpool are going about it; accept you can’t get 11 world class players but find a larger group of specialists who understand each other on and off the pitch, players that appreciate each others individual skillsets, who work as a team, with managers who teach them to refine their best skills, rather than try to be something they’re not. I actually find it really interesting, the way Arteta will have to carefully select the right tools for the job each week, there’ll be some surprising omissions this season, it could be fascinating for those of us who like depth in tactical analysis.
And Ken, it’s a sorry state of affairs when armchair geniuses say the players on the pitch, are the ones who haven’t got ‘footballing brains’ isn’t it? It’s easy to be zoomed out and notice things, but when you’re on the pitch, eye-level with opposition, trying to read their every move while figuring their own next move… well, the sofa kings can’t factor in those variables. Recent studies have shown high level sports stars are in fact geniuses in previously unmeasured metrics. The level of understanding these days is truly remarkable.
👍
OT Just read that agreement in place to sign Incapie on loan with agreement to buy next season for £52 million.
It’s IN BBC sport 😂
Ken, I saw it to. That means Kiwior will now sign for Porto.
Feel sorry we’re losing Kiwior if that’s the case HD, but we are not resting on our laurels this window are we?!
Yeah he did well when he came in for injured players, but we have to move on. It’s been a tremendous transfer window Ken, 🤞that we win a trophy this season.
Arteta couldn’t have put it better when he said “We have options with different qualities”.
Martinelli & Trossard couldn’t be more different, but equally effective, and now we have Eze, who I assume will not be a line hugger, but play more of a Pires-type role. We are so lucky to have these three players in our squad.