Following a tricky 2023–24 season in which he didn’t quite live up to his expectations, Gabriel Martinelli was expected to bounce back with a strong performance this new season. Last season, the Brazilian winger, who was a key player on Arsenal’s left wing in the 2022–23 season, seemed to have lost his touch.
Luckily, while he didn’t quite reach his peak, Leandro Trossard really stepped up and delivered some top-notch performances, scoring goals and providing assists from the left wing.
Ready to show what he’s capable of, the Gooners expect Martinelli to bring his A-game for this campaign, a situation that could see fierce competition for the Arsenal left-wing role.
So, for Match Day 1 against Wolves, it was Martinelli who got the nod to start. Although the Brazilian international was quite lively, some felt that he was lacking something. Yes, he was pretty engaged in the game, but his lack of efficiency and reluctance to make simple decisions resulted in him struggling with the end product.
That said, there are still some doubts about whether Martinelli will regain his form. Former Premier League star Troy Deeney has pointed out one mistake that the winger is making, which won’t do him any favours in his comeback. Deeney thinks Martinelli might benefit from being a bit more relaxed and focused on creating opportunities for his teammates instead of always going for the goal himself.
“Saw a few little issues that could potentially come up,” the 36-year-old said on Ben Fosters YouTube. “Martinelli had a few chances. He could have squared it and someone scores, but he’s thinking like I have got to score now because Trossard’s going to play.”
Martinelli is pretty determined to get on the scoresheet, which makes sense because forwards are typically judged based on the goals they score. However, it’s important to remind him that he will still have opportunities if he does everything correctly (and not solely fixate on the goals).
He’s just not feeling very confident right now, and it would probably help if he just kept things simple instead of trying to make them more complicated. We used to describe him as one of Arsenal’s most clinical forwards. He’ll return to that form eventually, but for now, it’s important for him to keep things simple.
Jack Anderson
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Martinelli has the ability to be top draw but he is raw. He hasn’t improved in 3 years but the ability is there for all to see. Firstly he needs a brain, he needs to think a bit more and be clever, second, he needs to look up and see whats around him and third, he needs to learn to be more calmer, when passing and shooting.
Like what Saka does, he is calm and know when to pass. no tension despite not having a strong competitor
in danger of becoming a one trick pony, needs to grow and develop his game fast, or could be left behind
He’s reached a dead end in his development. It happens.
And unfortunately, he’s not going to get any better.
I agree with Wind…he seems to have plateaud
you might be right. bitter truth. if he does not show further improvement time to cash in
Martinelli was my favorite Arsenal play until last season though he’s still in my top 2 with SALIBA as number 1. I’ve always wanted him to improve his game even during the 2021/22 season, because I knew his weakness was his decision making and eyes firmly fixed down. He became my favorite then for his relentless effort in chasing down opposing defenders (reminding me of Sanchez), tracking back to help the fullbacks his finishing and pace, which are his strengths.
IMO we have a different balance on the left. Havertz coming in and Shaka out aligned with Martinelli drop off. Kai operates in some of the areas Martinelli likes to and he hasn’t adapted his positional play. He also doesn’t have Ben behind him making runs through. I see some people write him off already, let’s wait and see what the change from zin to timber or Riccardo does.
Merino coming in is the big one for Martinelli, with Calafiori behind them, the new left hand triangle
Martinelli drop was more to do with opponents closing down space with the low block and lack of attacking intent, no space neutralising that blistering pace and break as nowhere to run
Saka finds way to overcome opponents crowding him. if he cannot score he will create. martinelli is not that player. one-dimensional player
Completely agree with this. Saka has white and odegaard (and set pieces, penalties) while martinelli has had 4 different make shift left backs and either partey/rice/jorginho as a lcm. Or havertz, who operated in similar spaces with him. Add an injury on top of these and you got the reason why he fell behind and saka is so far ahead of him now. With calafiori and merino he should be able to increase his numbers and overall involvement and show if he is able to also improve his decision making.
“He hasn’t improved in 3 years”
“One trick pony”
“He’s reached the dead end of his development”
“He’s not going to get any better”
I mean listen to yourselves guys 🤔
Am sure Martineli and Arteta know that last season was just below his standards and their working on fixing the issue. The season has just begun, give the boy some space
i’m not writing him off, and Arteta showing great support in terms of minutes, and investment in terms of Merino and Calafiori to re-invent the left
my regrettable observation though is Arsenal have moved on rapidly in the last 2 seasons, and our opponents much more defensive, Martinelli seems a bit stuck in the past, not adapting and developing his game at the same pace of that around him
that’s the fear, the next Teirney unless he can really trun it around this season, the ingredients and environment seem right for that, fingers crossed for Martinelli personally and extra 10 goals for Arsenal
Absolutely correct Onyango.
When Trossard starts, he rarely influences the game, but he is a very good sub to bring on.
Martinelli is the opposite and that’s why I think MA selects them in the way he does.
I don’t see our opponents dismissing Martinelli on the pitch as some on JA are, in fact, I see them doubling up on him every time he gets the ball.
He needs the kind of support that Saka gets from White and then we will see the undoubtedly talented player he is fulfill his potential.
Well said @Ken, I couldn’t have said it better. Really do hope he improves his game as he’s one of the players I look forward to seeing on the lineup.
Martineli is the player stand to benefit tremendously from Arsenal two most recent signing.
It is almost as if the Brazilian has hit a brick wall in his development, but he is a similar player to Luiz Suarez, cut from the same cloth, whoever writes him off do so at their own misjudgment
He,s still very young and development goes in fits and starts,give him time ,he has pedigree.
He is still very young,development comes in fits and starts,be patient ! He has obvious pedigree and potential.And I agree that he may be trying too hard!
Arteta will sort him out.
l am really struggling to understand how Merino is going to make Martinelli better. People keep making excuses for Martinelli and it’s becoming a very lame argument. Martinelli’s major criticism and wickness stem from his decision making in the final third. It’s not because he has not been in the right position. He is arguably the most pacy player on the Arsenal team, but his end product is terribly poo, always over hitting the final ball or failing to put in a decent cross to a team mate. Look at Saka for instance. He is the most man-marked player at Arsenal, teams are normally putting two to three players on him whenever he has the ball. But obviously he is far more efficient with the ball, so most often he makes good use of the opportunities that come his way. Unlike Martinelli who fumbles every time a decent opportunity comes his way. Sometimes l wonder whether he is actually a Brazilian. In summary, Martinelli is responsible for making himself better by being more efficient and clinical in the final third or simply play an easy assist. No body is coming to save him but himself.
Saka has spoiled you with is sensational talent, Saka is an anomaly like Messi, Brazil Ronaldo etc. they just do things right, salah, mane, lewadoski, and even the great Ronaldo at a point in his Manchester United career looked as if he wasn’t developing it is just part of the process and matinelli is just undergoing his. But when you’re competing against Man City only few fans would wait for you to develop. But let’s give him a break the season just begun
Mike Kelly,
I’ve just read your article, and yes Saka is a good player. But come on lets get real, it’s laughable to even mention his name in the same sentence as Messi, Ronaldo, and the like. (Seriously?).
Always? Every time? Really?
Merino like Xhaka, will provide a presence in build up that can make the pass but also defend his position; much like you see on Saka’s side.
Martinelli is forever tracking back helping cover Zinchenko when he inverts. Zinny lacks the pace to recover, so Martinelli covers all that ground, where White is already there for Saka.
Lastly, imagine if you were a LW and trying to build chemistry, but your LB partner is always changing, no continuity.
Our creator Odegaard is always on Saka’s side, best fullback (White) always on Saka’s side.
If they switched sides I bet you would see Saka drop off as well. This is a reason why we reinforced the left side with Calafiori and Merino.
Well said Pat couldn’t have said it better.
All’s Martinelli needs is a goal or an assist in our up and coming fixtures against against say villa or say spurs and his confidence will sore. Just like when some supporters had reservations about Kai – I had suggested that once he scores against the likes of spurs or other ‘opponents’ or contenders his confidence would soar as would the attitudes of fans towards him. I think the best is yet to come with crowd favorite and Brazil international Martineli so it’s just a matter of getting the first few goals, confidence will return and i trust he’ll be more than ok.
…his confidence will soar… ^^^^
I said it last year and I’ll say it again. I’m not worried about Martinelli. I think we’ll see him in the 20 g/a range this year. To be called up and actually play for your national team does so much for a player’s confidence, and now he’s going to have Calafiori and Merino providing support (a major improvement to Zinchenko/Kiwior and Havertz/Rice all of whom were playing in a position that I don’t think is their strongest). We also have Partey back, who is so good at getting the ball to the wing quickly when it calls for it (really important for Saka too). Can’t wait for Saturday. Up Gunners!
He hasn’t progressed but all is not lost.
I think his main problem is confidence.
He should benefit from more balance on the left hand side so I expect his form will return. He is definitely trying, maybe too much, he sometimes tries to force situations that are not on. That said, I think it’s a pivotal season for him, he will not have forever to prove himself worthy as the first choice on the left wing.
@Pat, i think i share your sentiment… Martinelli’s greatest problem now is his poor decision making just like you put it.
its never a must he be on the score sheet… But atleast, he should learn to calm down, keep it simple and be more productive with his final ball…
just like Saka, know when to Run, relax, pass and take a shot… Timing matters
The problem is alot of pressure for him to perform well
Martinelli has his limitations we all know about but right now his issues are more about low confidence and trying too hard to impress. These further exaggerate his limitations as he takes more time to decide, loses the ball which drops his confidence even further and he tries harder. A vicious cycle which has killed many players form.
Martinelli and Nketiah’s problems are 100% created by Arteta. The coach hates bite. That is why he succeeds against average clubs and fail against big opposition like Porto and Bayern last season. We have to depend on a lottery of penalty shoot out against Porto.
Nketiah is a super striker – England U21 record goal scorer and the only player to have scored hat trick under Arteta. His problem, just like Martinelli, is Arteta’s penchant for surrounding them with excessive number of left footers.
If you conduct a research in Europe, Arteta remains the only big club that starts five or more left footers in there ten outfield players.
ARSENAL WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE LEAD FOR DANI OLMO BUT ARTETA NEVER GO FOR RIGHT FOOTED CENTRAL OR ATTACKING MIDFIELDER. This Merino is also left footed. If you check, the two times he has beaten Man City, one in the FA Cup and one in the league, he never started five or more left footers and at no time were there five left footers on the pitch. Ironically, the day City lost to him on the league, which is this last season, City started five left footers as outfield players – a mistake Guardiola always avoid against big oppositions. He also made that mistake against Man United in FA Cup finals and United won that first half by 2 goals to nil. By the time City corrected it in second half, it was already late.
Last season when Martinelli was on the left; Nketiah striking for us and right footed Smith Rowe was our attacking midfielder against Sheffield United, Nketiah scored hat trick in less than one hour. The only place a left footer is needed there was left full back which Zinchenko started and did well. Surprisingly, Arteta never repeated that formation again and right footed Smith Rowe was pushed out.
The exits of Nketiah and Martinelli will make Arsenal not to have much bites on big occasions.
Such a long post with little or no meaning
Lol
I just hope he improves a lot this season
If he has the same season as last, we will need to contemplate transferring him
Martinelli is a great player and he is a young player growing up in our system. I have faith that he will get better given time. His decision making seems to be something to improve, but he is still young. With the right full back behind him and more connections with the mid-field, I think our left side will fly this year.
‘a long post with little or no meaning’ ?I thought that was a good, well analysed post!
We may not agree with it, but do we have to be so mean as to say such a thing? Sad.