Alan Smith has urged Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta in The London Evening Standard to include Gabriel Martinelli in the starting lineup against Leeds United.
The former Arsenal striker, who now works as a pundit for Sky Sports, believes that Martinelli should start against Leeds on Sunday instead of winger Nicolas Pepe.
Smith believes that Pepe has a laid-back style, and thinks that Brazilian forward Martinelli’s approach is better suited to combating Marcelo Bielsa’s side at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday.
The Englishman wrote in The London Evening Standard: “For Arteta, then, team selection becomes crucial in trying to counter this unique challenge. Who wants to run? Who wants to fight? Just one idle attitude can topple the house of cards at a time when Arsenal badly need a morale-boosting win.
“For that reason, I would go with the energy of Gabriel Martinelli rather than the laid-back style of Pepe who, for all his improvements, does not react quickly enough when Arsenal lose the ball. Getting back into shape must happen pretty sharpish against rampaging visitors.”
Should Gabriel Martinelli start instead of Nicolas Pepe?
Pepe has been playing well in recent weeks, and while the Ivory Coast international can drift in and out of games, he can conjure up moments of quality.
According to WhoScored, the 25-year-old has made eight starts and eight substitute appearances in the Premier League for the Gunners so far this season, scoring four goals in the process.
Martinelli has recovered from his injury problems, and the Brazilian’s youthful vigour and determination to make up for lost time could see him show more energy against a Leeds team who always play on the front foot.
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