Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli scored for Brazil in their final game of the October international break.
The former Ituano man is not a first-choice starter in Carlo Ancelotti’s side, but he consistently gets some minutes off the bench.
Against Japan on Tuesday, the Arsenal number 11 got a rare start, and there was a lot of excitement looking at the team sheet because it seemed like he would be playing as a striker.
However, it was Vinicius Jr who got the nod through the middle, with Martinelli playing in his usual left-wing role.
But what caught Arsenal fans’ eye was that the attacker was allowed to drift inside and make central runs. That is how he scored.
Seeing that, Gooners have a message for Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal fans make Gabriel Martinelli demand to Mikel Arteta
Brazil ended up losing to Japan, but when Martinelli was on the pitch, they were in a winning position thanks to his goal.
Arsenal fans loved his strike after he made a run towards goal, and all of them want Arteta to give him the same freedom at the Emirates.
One Arsenal fan tweeted: “Starting and finishing in central spaces to produce a big impact against a settled low block again is it for Martinelli? We are wasting his effectiveness – baby Suarez.”
Another wrote: “This new false-nine role for club and country is doing wonders for Gabriel Martinelli. Don’t ever want to see him wasted as a touchline winger again.”
“Martinelli at striker is different gravy, man,” said another.
Another Gooner posted: “PLEASE PLAY MARTINELLI DOWN THE MIDDLE!”
“His movement in the middle is soooo good, you can’t stick him out on the sidelines and pray he beats his man a couple of times. Arteta must involve him in the middle. I am for Havertz in midfield (8 or 10) with Martinelli CF,” tweeted another.
Gabriel Martinelli has given Mikel Arteta two reasons why he deserves more freedom
Martinelli is not as bad as people say when he’s out wide on the left.
The Brazilian is a good dribbler and has had success there. He also plays a massive role out of possession to help the left-back out.
However, the two goals Martinelli has scored this season – against Athletic Club and Manchester City – both came when he made a central run from out wide.
Those two strikes should be enough evidence for Arteta to realise that Martinelli can be a huge goal threat if he just gives him the license to make those runs.
With Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori and Eberechi Eze all available to drift wide and free up space in the middle, we expect Martinelli to get plenty of opportunities in the coming weeks and months.
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