Ian Wright has claimed that Gabriel Martinelli is a player that is ‘so eager’ to do well for Arsenal, as he told Premier League Productions (18/12/21 at 5:15 pm)
The Highbury legend stated that Arsenal fans, along with himself, were ‘very frustrated’ with the lack of game time the player was previously getting.
Under Mikel Arteta, for large parts, Martinelli has found game time tough to come by and he has had to watch the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and even Eddie Nketiah being pushed ahead of him.
However, all of that has changed in recent weeks because the 20-year-old is now becoming a regular under his Spanish coach.
Martinelli has started six Premier League games on the bounce for his side and is thriving as a result of those minutes out on the field.
Wright shared that Arteta has been taking his time with the youngster because he has been working on the player’s game.
“Delighted for him,” said Wright. “He is somebody that has had to learn slowly. He is so eager to get in. He is so eager to do well.
“Look at his pace and composure once he gets in, that’s the kind of things they are working on with him.
“Mikel Arteta has really got him making the right runs. I think we were very frustrated because he wasn’t in the team for a while, it’s because he’s (Arteta) trying to teach what he should be doing.”
With the recently-axed captain, Aubameyang, out of the Arsenal picture, someone needs to now step up and take his place.
There is Lacazette that has been handed the captain’s armband by Arteta, who can and probably will want to take that spot.
But his contract expires at the end of the season and questions have to be asked whether he will be still at the club in 12 months time.
One thing is for sure, Martinelli will still be at the club next season and the fact that he has scored or assisted in five out of his side’s last six games just goes to show the talent he has in his boots.
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