When Gabriel Martinelli first emerged, his goal-scoring prowess was immediately evident, leading many Premier League fans to believe he would eventually become a top striker due to his sharp finishing and natural goal-scoring ability. However, he has primarily been used as a winger, a role where he hasn’t consistently thrived. This raises the question of whether Mikel Arteta should consider deploying Martinelli as Arsenal’s central striker in their upcoming match against Tottenham.
With Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta needing to fill the left-central midfield position (LCM) due to the absence of Declan Rice and Mikel Merino, Kai Havertz seems the most likely candidate given his physicality and recent form. Yet, this decision leaves open the question of who will take up the striker role in this crucial fixture.
Gabriel Jesus, recovering from an injury, might not be ready to start in the North London Derby. While Arsenal has other attacking options, it’s surprising that Martinelli, currently wearing No. 11, hasn’t been more seriously considered for the striker position.
Several factors could explain Martinelli’s underperformance on the left wing. These include potential instability in the players around him on that side and Arteta’s instructions for Martinelli to play wider, which may have hindered his goal-scoring opportunities.
Former Premier League striker Troy Deeney has critiqued Martinelli for focusing too much on scoring rather than creating chances for teammates. However, this drive to score might be harnessed effectively by playing Martinelli as the central striker against Spurs.
With his speed and clinical finishing, Martinelli could be a significant threat to Tottenham’s defense, now managed by Ange Postecoglou. Although Martinelli’s confidence appears to have dipped recently, giving him a chance as the central striker in a high-stakes game might boost his self-belief and help him find his scoring form.
A front three of Leandro Trossard, Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka could offer Arsenal a potent attacking force. This combination might be just what Arsenal needs to challenge Spurs effectively. Do you think Martinelli should be given the chance to play as the No. 9 to regain his confidence in such a key match?
