Alan Smith feels there is ‘a lot more’ to come Gabriel Martinelli with the Arsenal forward finally finding form after regaining a role in Mikel Arteta’s side, via his Sky Sports column.
Martinelli had lost his way at the Emirates Stadium over the past year after a serious knee injury. The 20-year-old developed the issue during training in June 2020 and only returned to action in December. But his want of fitness and form persisted for the rest of the season.
The emergence of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe as key players further complicated Martinelli’s situation in north London. He played just 11-minutes in the Premier League between starting at Chelsea in August and a cameo at home to Newcastle last month.
Martinelli reminded Arteta of what he can offer Arsenal with a delightful finish against the Toon. His goal returned a start at Manchester United, where he was one of the Gunners’ star performers with an assist. And he has not left the Emirates natives’ line-up since.
Smith backs Martinelli to reach even higher level
Martinelli has continued to shine since Arteta recalled the Brazilian to the Arsenal starting line-up. He added another assist against Southampton, before scoring in another decisive display at home to West Ham United in midweek.
Gunners hero Smith still believes Martinelli has more to offer the north Londoners, though.
“There’s a lot more to come from Martinelli, without question,” Smith wrote. “He’s had a difficult spell over the last year or 18-months or so. He had his injury, of course, and maybe his confidence has taken a hit.
“But he has come back into the fold and playing somebody like that out on the left is a way of bringing them back into the team. There’s not quite so much responsibility in terms of leading the line and being the main goal threat.
“Maybe in time he will become a central striker, we’ll have to wait and see on that one. But you think back to when he burst onto the scene, he was a revelation.
“I remember the game at Stamford Bridge where he ran half the length of the pitch and scored with a calm finish. There’s a big talent in there, for sure, and that shouldn’t be ignored or discarded. I’m sure it won’t be.”
Martinelli’s Chelsea goal won Arsenal’s best strike that season
Martinelli won Arsenal’s 2019/20 goal of the season award for his solo effort at Chelsea in January 2020. He turned defence into attack to run 67-yards in just 13-seconds to pull the Gunners level at Stamford Bridge.
The strike also followed netting Arsenal’s only goal in a 1-1 draw with Sheffield United, in the only instance he has scored in back-to-back Premier League games so far in his career.
Arsenal signed Martinelli from Brazilian side Ituano in 2019 for £6m. He has now amassed 61 appearances for the Gunners across all competitions, with 14 goals and nine assists.
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