Iconic former Arsenal striker Ian Wright wants to see Gabriel Martinelli take a more aggressive approach in matches. Gabriel Martinelli was far from his best...
Iconic former Arsenal striker Ian Wright wants to see Gabriel Martinelli take a more aggressive approach in matches.
Gabriel Martinelli was far from his best when Arsenal lost 2-0 to West Ham United last time out.
In fact, the Brazilian attacker has struggled for form in general so far this season. Mikel Arteta has spoken out about the player’s importance, and suggested how he might improve, but the fact remains that Martinelli has contributed just 4 goals and 3 assists across 22 appearances in all competitions so far this season.
Last season, the 22-year-old was a far more potent force, racking up 15 goals and 6 assists in 46 outings. With Gabriel Jesus also now struggling for goals, and Bukayo Saka having not found the back of the net in his last five Premier League appearances, Martinelli’s struggles are really starting to hurt Arsenal.
Against the Hammers, Arsenal took 30 shots, with Saka, Martinelli, and Jesus taking 13 between them, as per WhoScored statistics. Martinelli was responsible for just one of these efforts.
The nine-cap Brazil international needs to pose a more direct threat to opposition defences. Martinelli is an excellent finisher, but he simply isn’t taking enough shots, or being direct enough in his play. His pace, flair, and capacity to beat an opponent in one-on-one situations are some of his greatest strengths. At present, though, they are not being put to the best use. Perhaps due to a lack of confidence, Martinelli has been far too conservative in his play in recent weeks.
Ian Wright calls for Arsenal to unleash Gabriel Martinelli
Ian Wright certainly wants to see Martinelli become more positive in his play. Speaking on the Wrighty’s House podcast, the former striker said, “you look at our build-up play, and it’s very Saka-orientated. Odegaard – Saka, Odegaard – Saka. And when you look at Martinelli, especially earlier on when he was doing what he was doing. He was torching people.”
“I would love to see at some stage Mikel find the same kind of service to him as quickly as they possibly can because he is somebody that wants to go past on the outside or on the inside. If Martinelli gets the ball and there’s two behind, Martinelli, we know that he will try to take them on, but on the main, he will come back and pass it back.”
“I hate to see Martinelli going back the other way because the ball has not got there quick enough. Those are the things that I am thinking we have to be quicker in getting the ball to him.”
It would certainly help Martinelli if the likes of Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, and Oleksandr Zinchenko sought to find him quicker. The more time and space Martinelli can be given on the ball, the greater a chance he has to drive forward into a dangerous area.
The most important thing, though, is that Martinelli is able to bring some conviction back into his game, and quickly. He is a phenomenal talent, but if his form does not improve then his status as a nailed-on starter in Arteta’s side must be questioned.