Ally McCoist and Alan Brazil have suggested that Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli is running very hot and cold this season.
After a stunning campaign last year where he helped the Gunners nearly win the Premier League, Gabriel Martinelli hasn’t hit the same heights this season.
Speaking on TalkSPORT (10/1 6:16am), the pair were discussing Arsenal’s recent struggles.
Back-to-back league defeats were followed up by a frustrating loss to Liverpool in the FA Cup.
Mikel Arteta was without Gabriel Jesus due to injury and chose to play Kai Havertz as a centre-forward ahead of Eddie Nketiah.
He started Martinelli on the bench and the £6m forward made a real difference when he came on in the second half.
Arsenal need quick turnaround to avoid season falling apart
There are a few issues that need addressing in the Arsenal squad right now that could end up costing the Gunners.
Bukayo Saka has been phenomenal, but he looks tired and was one of several players who was off his game against Fulham.
Martin Odegaard is trying his best to make things happen but his teammates simply can’t finish off the chances he’s creating.
As McCoist suggests, Arsenal fans aren’t seeing the best of Martinelli regularly either, having scored just twice in the league and provided two assists.
He needs to improve that record to stay in the team and help the Gunners challenge Manchester City and Liverpool going forward.
Otherwise, he’ll be watching from the bench more often and Arteta might even start to worry about their chances of finishing in the top four.
McCoist and Brazil react to ‘hot and cold’ Arsenal star Martinelli
Speaking about his cameo against Liverpool, Brazil said: “I was delighted that Martinelli came on off the bench and suddenly was on fire again because lately I was like, has he lost his left eye or something?
McCoist replied: “I think he’s a bit like that, I think he’s a bit hot and cold.”
Brazil concluded: “Oh dear, but when he’s come off the bench things happen.”
Martinelli came off the bench just after the hour mark and immediately caused Trent Alexander-Arnold problems.
He beat the England international twice but Arsenal couldn’t convert the chances he created.
Jurgen Klopp was forced into a change and brought on Conor Bradley ten minutes later and the youngster handled him much more comfortably.
Jakub Kiwior’s own goal and Luis Diaz’s late strike ended up deciding the tie, ending another potential route to silverware for the Gunners
Arsenal unlikely to sign new winger, Martinelli needs to step up
Mikel Arteta has already made it clear that it’s unlikely that Arsenal will do a huge amount of business this month.
If they do find the cash to bring in reinforcements or sell the likes of Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe, then a centre-forward and midfielder appears to be the priority.
It means Saka and Martinelli will have to carry Arsenal for the rest of the season and the Brazilian will need to improve the consistency McCoist is talking about to take the pressure off his teammates.
When he’s at his best, he’s one of the most difficult attackers to stop in the Premier League.
He occasionally looks isolated as Arsenal tend to focus their attacks through Saka, Odegaard and Ben White on the opposite wing.
But when he’s on the ball and has the freedom to attack his man, full-backs can be left looking very silly by his quick feet and dynamism.
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