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Gabriel Martinelli has struggled for shape successful caller months for Arsenal
Arsenal return to Premier League action this play pinch nan sojourn of Ange Postecoglou's Nottingham Forest - their first convention crippled since nan conclusion by Liverpool astatine Anfield earlier nan world break.
The Gunners were criticised for their attacking output during nan nonaccomplishment to nan champions and 1 of nan players who was astatine nan centre of a batch of that disapproval was Gabriel Martinelli.
It's adjacent to opportunity things person not been clicking for nan Brazilian winger of late. Some supporters were amazed to spot him commencement astatine Anfield, particularly fixed nan options Mikel Arteta now has pursuing a summertime successful which nan nine spent astir £300m.
But location aren't galore wingers who tin beryllium much trusted than Martinelli to transportation retired tactical instructions and protect work, and successful a lucifer wherever good margins were expected to beryllium decisive he was selected by Arteta again connected nan near of nan Arsenal attack.
However, 1 infinitesimal summed up nan past fewer months for Martinelli and why supporters person been truthful excited by nan presence of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace - a subordinate who could besides play connected nan near wing.
During nan first half, Martinelli led an Arsenal counter-attack and alternatively than play successful striker Viktor Gyokeres - who looked to person an opportunity to tally successful down nan Liverpool defence - he kept nan shot and yet mislaid it for a extremity kick.
Some judge Martinelli is overthinking and suffering from a deficiency of confidence. That portion of play was a premier illustration and has since been heavy highlighted pursuing a loss.
Why could it not beryllium moving for Martinelli?
Martinelli is simply a hardworking subordinate who cares profoundly astir succeeding astatine Arsenal. He is alert of nan societal media disapproval of his performances and nan chat astir his spot successful nan team.
That would beryllium difficult for immoderate subordinate to woody pinch and, while that scrutiny is portion of nan ups and downs of a master shot career, it does not lend itself to players creating off-the-cuff moments that tin triumph matches.
He scored 10 goals successful 51 games and registered six assists successful each competitions past season, which is simply a coagulated return but possibly not 1 of a apical winger astatine a squad competing for nan title and going heavy successful nan Champions League.
One of Martinelli's champion moments did travel successful nan Champions League erstwhile he scored nan winning extremity astatine nan Bernabeu successful nan 2nd leg, aft Arsenal hit Real Madrid 3-0 successful nan first limb to guarantee their spot successful nan semi-final.
The alteration successful Arsenal's style could besides beryllium 1 of nan reasons for Martinelli's downturn successful form.
During his champion play successful 2022-23, Martinelli - who signed for Arsenal successful 2019 - scored 15 goals successful each competitions and registered six assists.
Arsenal were a batch much unfastened during that clip and nan attacks allowed them to create much naturally.
Arsenal vanished 2nd that season, their first of 3 second-placed Premier League finishes successful a row.
Since then, Arteta has changed tact - Arsenal now play pinch much power and are much considered successful their build-up.
That doesn't needfully suit Martinelli, who thrives pinch unfastened spaces to tally successful to.
During nan past campaign, nan Gunners were decimated by wounded to attacking players and Martinelli had his ain fittingness issues.
Arsenal struggled to create against teams who defended successful a debased artifact and resorted to crossing nan shot a batch much pinch small success.
This play Arteta has again changed his side's style, pinch nan Gunners utilising a much direct, transitional style successful nan dream it will get nan champion retired of £64m striker Gyokeres.
That alteration whitethorn good extremity up benefitting Martinelli, who is 1 of nan quickest players successful nan Premier League, and nan balls successful down nan guidance defences whitethorn springiness him nan chance to get done connected extremity quicker and into amended areas.
The different options
The Brazilian winger is not going to beryllium fixed tons of clip to find his feet this play if things do not prime up, though.
Arsenal person strengthened their squad pinch nan signings of Noni Madueke and Eze, while Leandro Trossard is different trusted action from nan near wing.
For nan first clip this season, Madueke started connected nan correct helping arsenic Bukayo Saka was injured.
Before that, nan erstwhile Chelsea winger had been brought connected by Arteta connected nan near done pre-season - and that was besides nan lawsuit successful nan opening crippled of nan play astatine Old Trafford.
Eze, though not a touchline winger, tin play location and replaced Martinelli astatine Anfield.
Eze is seen much arsenic a number 10 by those astatine Arsenal, but his versatility and expertise to hit players is going to beryllium of awesome use to Arsenal arsenic they compete successful 4 competitions.
Martinelli, who is returning from world work pinch Brazil, has spoken astir really he likens nan title astatine his nine broadside pinch that successful his nationalist squad wherever he competes connected nan near helping for a spot pinch Vinicius Jr - 1 of nan champion wingers successful nan world.
What could it mean for nan future?
Martinelli has 2 years remaining connected his statement pinch a club-held action to widen for a further twelvemonth until 2028.
There were soul discussions astir nan anticipation of trading Martinelli this summer, but it was felt a waste during this model pursuing Martinelli's shape past play would not execute a desirable figure.
Martinelli is still heavy trusted by Arteta and that has been shown by nan winger starting nan distant games astatine Manchester United and Liverpool.
However, it is accepted that Martinelli is 1 of a fewer players successful nan Arsenal squad who nan nine could waste for a sizable interest pursuing a summertime of investment.
For Martinelli and supporters, nan dream is he rediscovers nan shape of 3 seasons agone that saw him people 15 convention goals.