Speaking on the Highbury Squad YouTube channel, Kevin Campbell has been discussing Gabriel Martinelli and his development at Arsenal.
Martinelli is very much the man of the moment at Arsenal. He’s scored three goals in his last two games and after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s recent expulsion from the squad, he looks as though he could cement himself in the XI at the Emirates.
Campbell says that Martinelli looks like a completely different player this season, despite fleeting moments of brilliance in the past.
What’s been said about Martinelli?
Campbell discussed Martinelli’s progression this season and since his return from injury last year.
“I think I just saw a comment saying he was same player last year. He wasn’t, you’re never the same player after an injury, but he’s put the work in on the training ground. When you put in the work in training you see it on the biggest stage,” Campbell said.
“He took his chance against Newcastle, he’s got to take his chance again because he has the talent, he has to show what he’s been learning and transfer it to the big stage as part of the team structure. I understand he wants to do well, and he runs around like a headless chicken, but work-rate isn’t good enough without end product, and now, he’s delivering an end product.”
“Last year, he was coming back from an injury and he wasn’t the same player. He had the talent and he’s the same person, but he still neededto be worked on to get him back up to speed, and maybe, if he was chucked in last season too early, it wouldn’t have worked for him. Remember, last season he broke down a couple of times. So again, that’s not the same player, the player who scored that goal against Chelsea, that’s his raw talent.”
Improved so much
Campbell is absolutely right about Martinelli, he’s improved so much since his return from injury last season.
The Brazilian came back last year and he truly didn’t look himself. He barely played any football, and he only scored two league goals all year – a tally that he’s already doubled this term.
Usually when you say that someone isn’t the same player they used to be that can be a bad thing, but in Martinelli’s case, it’s a huge compliment.
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