Mikel Arteta should make a U-turn on his recent view of Gabriel Martinelli, and look to unleash the Arsenal forward during the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.
Martinelli has not featured in the Premier League since the second week of the season after starting both opening games. Arteta entrusted the Brazilian with occupying the wide-left spot in the Gunner’s attack at Brentford, before moving centrally against Chelsea.
The 20-year-old did not score during defeats to the Bees and Blues, and has only occupied a back-up role since. Featuring among the unused substitutes as Arsenal lost at Manchester City, before beating Norwich and Burnley to kickstart their season.
Arteta awarded Martinelli a chance to show his worth again as Arsenal beat Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. He played 76-minutes of the midweek tie before Bukayo Saka took over his place in the Emirates Stadium frontline.
Martinelli left the action without a goal or an assist to show for his efforts, but impressed against the League One side, nonetheless. He last found the back of the net when Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 3-1 in May. While last assisting in a 2-0 win at Newcastle, also in May.
The 2020 Olympic gold medallist offered a very bright spark in Arteta’s plans against the Dons, despite not scoring. Martinelli was lively throughout his time on the field and often appeared Arsenal’s most likely option to create dangerous openings.
His busy evening in north London was packed with exciting flashes and won the penalty Alexandre Lacazette converted after 11-minutes. Playing a one-two with Eddie Nketiah and spinning in behind the defence, before Nesta Guinness-Walker clumsily took him down.
Should Arteta unleash Martinelli when Arsenal host Tottenham on Sunday?
Martinelli’s impressive midweek performance will have given Arteta some food for thought ahead of Arsenal hosting rivals Tottenham on Sunday. The Spaniard will be loath to see the Gunners’ emerging form end at the hands of their north London neighbours.
So, Arteta will likely play cautious when naming the Arsenal team for the derby, yet should consider unleashing Martinelli again. The Brazilian was a menace against Wimbledon as he took his opportunity to impress, and now deserves the rewards.
Martinelli repeatedly sprung open the Dons defence and almost registered his first assist since May after finding Nuno Tavares. But the full-back could only direct his header at the post. Surely offering Arteta belief that the £90k-a-week ace can make an impact on Sunday.
That may not be the case if the Spaniard sticks with Nicolas Pepe after giving the 26-year-old Wednesday night off. The Ivorian was one of the Gunners’ weaker links in victory at Burnley last week, fading badly after the break and lacking a clinical edge in the final-third.
Pepe’s Turf Moor trip was one of frustration, with much of his hard work falling short at the final ball. Martinelli was likely somewhat rusty against Wimbledon, yet the youngster – who Freddie Ljungberg considers ‘very special’, via football.london – did enough for Arteta to consider unleashing him when Arsenal host Tottenham in the north London derby.
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