Martin Keown has suggested to BT Sport that Gabriel Martinelli should have made himself undroppable ahead of Arsenal’s game against Slavia Prague on Thursday.
Martinelli scored for Arsenal after being handed a rare start against Sheffield United at the weekend.
The Brazilian was a constant livewire in attacking positions.
And Keown felt that Martinelli’s display was strong enough to earn him a spot in Arsenal’s team for their crucial Europa League tie later this week.
He said: “[There’s been] A lot of talk about Arsenal’s recruitment and that they spent too much money on certain individuals, but this guy was a snip. This really will help him, he’s been through a lot – 14 months since he scored.
“If you look at it, the key players – Saka, Martinelli and Lacazette – he’s taken them off because he wants to protect them for what’s coming on Thursday night.
“He’s a great talent. Now he’s in the team he should stay in the team, I don’t think you can take him out now.”
There were fears that Martinelli may be ruled out of the game with injury, but the teenager has already confirmed that he will be fit.
Mikel Arteta now has a selection dilemma, as Pierre Emerick Aubameyang is also set to return.
Aubameyang has far more experience of big games than Martinelli, but he has been out of sorts this season.
And it could be that Arteta trusts in youth, as Arsenal look to progress to the semi-finals in Europe.
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