Who should Arteta start against Forest? Trossard or Martinelli?

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Leandro Trossard of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brentford FC at Emirates Stadium on February 11, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Trossard or Martinelli?

Mikel Arteta has been left with a difficult decision as to who he will start on the left wing away at Nottingham Forest, Trossard or Martinelli? Both players have had decent starts to the season and Martinelli has looked to be Arteta’s top choice at LW.

On the weekend Arteta opted to start Trossard and it wasn’t long till the winger managed to bag a goal just after half time but then Martinelli came on and scored two goals in the space of 3 minutes, so it leaves the question, who does Arteta pick for Forest away?

For me, it’s Trossard, I know that when Martinelli is in top form he’s almost unstoppable and looks electric down the wing but this season, he just hasn’t been at his best. I think the fact Arteta dropped him to the bench against Palace was a big factor in why he came on and dominated. When a player gets used to starting their performances sometimes suffers, and sometimes they just need that reality check and break to get back to their best.

Trossard for me is a generational talent that I think people underrate, when there were rumours of him joining us last January, I was excited because I thought he’d fit in perfectly at Arsenal and Arteta would bring the best out of him, and so far I’ve been right. He’s hardly stepped a foot wrong and after getting the nod on the weekend, he went out and put on a hell of a performance and justified Arteta’s reason for picking him.

Competition is healthy in football and unless you are world class, your position will always be up for grabs, there’s always going to be younger players pushing and fighting for your spot and it’s up to the players be keep up the hard graft, so they keep their spots. Personally, I think it’s good to have two great players fighting for the same spot, that’s how the big clubs dominate and although it may be a tough decision for the manager, it’s a good problem to have.

I almost think it would be unfair to drop Trossard after starting the game so well, but then it’s also hard not to say the same thing about Martinelli. He came on in the 70th minute and in the dying minutes of the game managed to put two goals past Palace in the space of 3 minutes, so it would also be understandable if that was rewarded with a start so it’s a hard one to decide and lucky for us fans, that’s Arteta’s job.

What’s your thoughts Gooners? Who do you think should start vs Forest? Trossard or Martinelli?

Daisy Mae


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37 Comments

  1. Martinelli, because Trossard lost the ball too often in his last game, was too slow to retrieve it and missed a clear-cut chance

    Nottingham Forest would likely have to take their chances in our area, because they’ll play in their turf. Martinelli’s pace and finishing ability could hit them when they’re attacking us

    1. In my opinion, I would say Trossard because it will make us unpredictable. Most team coaches knows what Saka and Matinelli can do especially when playing away. Hence they double up on them. He can come in when their full backs are beginning to tire out. If Matinelli had started gainst CPalace he may not have been effective. That was how we won against City too at the Emirate.

  2. Martinelli has been awful all season, one goal before our game last Saturday. A goal that took a wicked deflection to wrong foot Ederson I may add. Back to our game against Palace, we was already three nil up and the palace players had already thrown the towel in and then a banner slagging the club of was unfolded by the fans. Trossard starts for me because he interchanges with Jesus and Saka better and isnt limited to the left wing. I would say hes also our best finisher in the front 3.

  3. Nottingham Forest under Nuno are packing the bus and beating teams on the counter.

    Here is where a genius Trossard comes in to unlock that block.

    Mattinelli struggles to penetrate such defenses.

    And again let everyone be kept on their toes.

    For me, Leo starts

    1. @ Liam, it means you don’t watch Arsenal game or you’re just commenting out of emotions. Martinelli scored a great goal against Luton.

      Martinelli is far far much better than Trossard..
      Honestly Trossard didn’t play particularly well against Palace except the well taken goal

  4. Pistol you are correct, but hes still scored 4 goals in 19 games in the league with one taking a wicked deflection of Ake, two against a dead palace and one against the mighty Luton. Maybe you are replying back out of emotion because its still clearly not a good return.

  5. Like Robert said above play Trossard give him confidence by playing him two in a row and start martenilli for Liverpool unless Trossard has an undroppable game!

  6. Trossard is THE best finisher in the team. Martinelli probably has more ability but actually playing TEAM football, at the moment, Trossard is best. Martinelli has unlimited potential but he needs to learn to be more clinical and less wasteful. I would play Martinelli up front instead of Jesus, its worth a try. Selfishness is not a bad thing for a striker.

  7. Here’s a thought – drop Saka and play both Trossard and Martinelli – drop Havertz and play both Odegaard and ESR – if Rice isn’t fit, put Zinchenko in the midfield and Kiwior at LB.

    Subs bench : Saka, Havertz, Ramsdale, Jorginho, Nelson, Nketiah and the recalled Marquinhos.

  8. Dropping Havertz for ESR is a recipe for disaster. Im not Havertz biggest fan but ESR is just to light weight, small and attack minded for the left 8 position. Im not even going to get into ESR injury record. ESR is best suited to a position in the front 3 where he can cause choas with his low centre of gravity and dribbling ability. Futhermore i feel Havertz has played a massive part in the fact we have scored the most corners in the league. Teams can no longer just mark Gabriel as both Havertz and Rice have added some much needed height into the team.

    1. I’m not disagreeing with you regarding Havertz, just looking at some sensible rotating of our players.
      Forest would be the ideal game for ESR and Odegaard to play together and, if it doesn’t work, then we use our substitutes.

    2. Liam for your information ESR is 6 ft tall and virtually the same weight as Havertz.In terms of his best position I think it on the left of a front three.Like Havertz he is not a central midfielder and never will be.

  9. It’s very fitting that you are an Arsenal fan given the first four letters in the club name. Your arrogance and hate for the world is beyond belief. I’m outta here – don’t bother responding as I won’t respond and everyone on this site knows why. COYG!

    1. Here, here! Jon needs to operate with respect for his fellow Gooners or else he’ll be forever seen as the Pigeon Lady. Sick of his arrogant, condescending attitude, and how he has the audacity to act as though he’s smarter than everyone else but never proves it.

    2. Just as a matter of interest, does anyone at all consider Trossard a “GENERATIONAL” talent? And IF you do, can you provide evidence and reasons for such an extraordinary view?

      Most would agree that such as HENRY, BERGKAMP, CAMPBELL were “generational talents” but anyone who thinks Trossard is too,, is hyping sensibly used English for their own reasons. And looking as if they dont understand ordinary words like decent, reasonable, useful , even good.

      But “GENERATIONAL” is a plainly untrue and weird word to describe him
      My question to the writer of this article was a perfectly sensible and reasonably question to ask.

    3. BB I hope that doesn’t mean your not going to be contributing on JA anymore?
      If it is, you’ve let Jon win – something that should never happen!!

      1. I feel sorry that you see debates as a “battle” KEN Its not about wining or losing debates at all But simply about what is true and what is false.

        And be in no doubt, BB WILL CERTAINLY have read my reply, as we all know!

        And I see YOU have chosen NOT to comment on the article writers ludicrous description of a “GENERATIONAL TALENT” in Trossard, which started this exchange of posts

        That you chose not to bother, confirms to me that you actually agree with my view, as all sensible fans will do, but you dont wish to get involved, save only to egg on poor befuddled BB! SIGH!

  10. Fans keep condemning Martineli, they forget its his wing that has the inverted LB,back by an Harvetz that drifts to the CF role, leaving Martineli against 3 not 2 opponents.
    Against Nottingham Forest, IMO, Trossard/Smith-rowe should replace Odegaard with Havertz as CF, Jesus as RW and Martineli LW, Jorginho DM, Rice LCM, Zinchenko LB.

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