Arteta could definitely do more to get more out of him as he’s not a proper winger, he should be deployed like an inside forward.
You want him as close to goal as possible, he should barely be carrying the ball because he has nothing in his bag its all pace in open space which he doesn’t even use effectively as he could. Needs someone to overlap and combine with him routinely especially as he struggles to consistently beat his man
You can’t leave someone like him on an island hugging the touchline (like Arteta does) as he doesn’t have the IQ or all-around game to thrive like that at all, too many caveats and necessary conditions means he’s a backup at best. He’s the same player he was three years ago.
I think he could be a very valuable member of the squad from the bench, but it would be bordering on criminal negligence if he is our starting left winger next season after the past two. I’d find it difficult to consider us a serious top side if that is the case.
Unfortunately, I think this is moreso down to Martinelli than Arteta.
Dude’s a proper ball hog, one of the worst in the team at it.
Takes so many unnecessary touches.
Should have embraced his role as a low touch inside forward a long time ago.
I would keep Martinelli next season. I’d sooner us sell Trossard. If we buy Eze or Rodrygo, or ideally both, they would all be too similar in profile. Martinelli has other qualities and like that he can play on either flank.
Trossard doesn’t play that way though, and he’s a ball hog himself.
See Trossard at his best in 2023/2024. Low touch wide forward. Fully embraced in that run-in when he was still not washed physically and was scoring goals for fun.
Martinelli always has to take that extra touch. It’s in his DNA.
Whether wasted touches or not he isn’t deployed like he should be
Trossard has more IQ, speed of thought, abillity to use both feet and even tricks in comparison
Martinelli needs to be used differently and isn’t, the LB play should be more conventional with someone like Martinelli clocking up as many minutes as he does.
Regardless he’s someone who should be moved on prefrably after one more season, I don’t see why they should give him another contract.
IMO, he doesn’t bring much to the table inside. Poor decision making in the box, not technical enough in small spaces. When he first broke through he looked like he could be really good in that sort of role, like a Mane type, but he just hasn’t developed.
Martinelli works well in a team that counter attacks and breaks quickly. No coincidence he prospered in the season our team was setup that way.
We’ve now evolved as a team and build our attacks slowly. And Martinelli doesn’t have the technical ability or the intelligence to thrive in such a system. There’s no more free space behind the defense for Martinelli to run onto, which is his main strength.
If we keep him as a bench option who provides something different, I’m in for it. But if I see Martinelli starting on the left next season, I’ll take it Arteta is not serious about achieving success.
I am hoping this changes next season, especially at home. The slow cautious approach makes sense away from home but at home, we have to play like we were a couple of seasons ago.
It should be noted that, according to CBS Sports sources, Arsenal are not looking to sell Martinelli. Every player in their squad has their price, potentially even one that one of the world’s richest clubs could afford, but there is no internal pressure to sell the winger to fund business.
Certainly there are suitors on the market for the 24 year old Brazilian. Bayern Munich are admirers of Martinelli while links to Saudi Arabia have also emerged. According to CBS Sports sources, Al-Nassr have held internal discussions over the forward but the Saudi Arabian club have not put together a proposal for Arsenal’s consideration and are not currently preparing a bid.
Crucially too, sources close to Martinelli indicate that he would not be prepared to consider a move to the Pro League at this stage of his career. The forward has his eyes on a spot in the Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup, though players from Saudi Arabia have been in Selecao squads, Martinelli’s best chance of making Carlo Ancelotti’s group would come through playing at the highest levels of the European game.
I don’t think we are selling Gabby in this window. Will just leave us with too much to do. Of course, if the Saudis throw stupid money at him, then it’s certainly possible but are they that stupid?
