Why Mikel Arteta got angry with Gabriel Martinelli from the Gunners 1-1 draw with Brentford
Gabriel Martinelli did not perform poorly on Saturday, but he still struggled to reach his full potential.
The Brazilian appears to miss playing alongside his countryman Gabriel Jesus, as his constant movement creates opportunities for Martinelli that were not present in the match against Brentford.
This may also be a testament to how highly Martinelli is regarded in the Premier League, as in both of Arsenal’s recent matches, opposing teams have opted to double-team him in order to neutralize his significant offensive threat.
However, with increased competition for roster spots, Martinelli can no longer afford to simply put in adequate performances.
Due to Emile Smith Rowe’s recent injury concerns, Martinelli has had a virtual monopoly on the left wing position this season without much competition. But with the addition of Leandro Trossard, that has now changed.
Trossard has been impressive in his limited playing time so far, and he took it to the next level on Saturday by scoring his first goal for Arsenal.
Although the result of the match may overshadow this achievement, it’s noteworthy that when asked about Martinelli’s performance after the game, Mikel Arteta immediately chose to direct attention towards Trossard and praise his contributions.
“I think every player has his moment,” the Spaniard said. “We have moved today Gabi for Leo because Leo in those spaces is so good and so composed. He’s constantly faking movements and playing forward. He’s got a great smell for where the ball is going to land and we believe it was the right choice to bring him on.”
During the game, there were also several instances that suggested that Arteta may be growing frustrated with Martinelli.
For example, when the Brazilian made a careless mistake by flicking the ball away in his own half, Arteta visibly expressed his anger on the sidelines before substituted him shortly after.
As Arsenal prepare for what could be their most important game of the season on Wednesday, Arteta’s decision on who to play at left wing will be of great interest.
Will he take a risk and go with the freshness of Trossard, or will he trust Martinelli, who has generally been a reliable player for him this season, even though he is currently out of form? The choice could ultimately determine whether the Gunners are able to win their first Premier League title in nearly two decades.
Why Mikel Arteta got angry with Gabriel Martinelli from the Gunners 1-1 draw with Brentford
