Martin Keown has written in The Daily Mail that it is puzzling that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta does not play Gabriel Martinelli often.
The Arsenal legend has said that Martinelli is too good a player to be left as an unused substitute on the Arsenal bench and needs to be given chances.
The BBC Sport and talkSPORT pundit believes that the 19-year-old Brazilian forward could play a big role for Arsenal this season, just like 20-year-old attacking midfielder Emile Smith Rowe has.
Keown wrote in The Daily Mail: “Gabriel Martinelli was finally given some minutes towards the closing stages at West Ham, adding another injection of youthful exuberance on the left wing. It’s puzzling that we don’t see more of the 19-year-old.
“He’s simply too good to be an unused substitute. If given his chance, he could come into the team and play a major part in resurrecting Arsenal’s season, similar to the impact Smith Rowe has had.”
Struggling for playing time
Martinelli is a very talented and promising young attacking player who is reportedly rated very highly by Arsenal manager Arteta.
However, the 19-year-old has struggled to play regularly since his return from a long-term injury. The Brazilian has been in matchday squads, but he has not always started or even come on as a substitute at times.
According to WhoScored, Martinelli has made three starts and three substitute appearances in the Premier League and has played 22 minutes in the Europa League for the Gunners so far this season.
With Willian and Nicolas Pepe starting to play well, it is hard for Arteta to find space for Martinelli in the Arsenal starting lineup at the moment.
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