Mikel Arteta should seriously consider dropping Gabriel Martinelli to the bench after another underwhelming display during Arsenal’s 3-1 Premier League defeat to title rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, Jamie O’Hara tells talkSPORT (15 February, 11pm).
At least, following an impressive January window, Arteta has the option of resting and rotating these days. Leandro Trossard, the £27 million signing from Brighton and Hove Albion, has already made his mark in red-and-white, scoring his first Gunners goal in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Brentford.
And, with Martinelli failing to find the net in his last eight club appearances, former Tottenham, Wolves and Portsmouth playmaker O’Hara feels that the young Brazilian may benefit from removed out of the firing line. At least for a game or two.
“He has gone off the boil,” O’Hara says. “And I am a huge fan of Martinelli.”
When pressed on whether Trossard should be drafted in for Saturday’s trip to Unai Emery’s Aston Villa, O’Hara added that the Belgium international ‘probably’ deserves a chance to stake his claim in the starting XI.
Should Arteta swap Martinelli out for Trossard?
It took Trossard just four minutes to break the deadlock after coming on for Martinelli against Brentford; Gunners legend Martin Keown highlighting the former Genk captain’s ability to offer something different in a tight-fought game.
“It was a wonderful finish,” Keown told the BBC; Trossard tapping in a Bukayo Saka cross at the far post. “He couldn’t really miss, but his movement was essential. Arteta wanted him (to come on) because Martinelli hasn’t had a good game.
“And Trossard has added something extra to this Arsenal team.”
Arsenal have not won since that dramatic 3-2 triumph over Manchester United on January 22nd. City’s superior goal difference, meanwhile, saw the London giants drop off the top of the Premier League table for the first time since early-November on Wednesday night.
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