Arsenal take on Club Brugge in the Champions League, and Gabriel Martinelli could become the star of the show.
The Gunners have been magnificent in Europe’s elite club competition this season. They have won all of their first five games, scoring 14 goals and conceding just once in the process.
Many Arsenal players have impressed in the Champions League this season, but none more than Martinelli.
Has Gabriel Martinelli been Arsenal’s best player in the Champions League this season? If not, who is?
Has anyone been better than Martinelli?
Gabriel Martinelli could set a new Arsenal record vs Club Brugge in the Champions League
Gabriel Martinelli has been a revelation in the Champions League this season.
The Brazil international is no longer the Gunners’ first-choice left winger in the Premier League. He has been overlooked for the likes of Eberechi Eze, Leandro Trossard and even Noni Madueke in that role.
However, Martinelli has still come up with some big moments, especially in Europe.
The former Ituano man has played four games in the Champions League so far this season, and he has scored in every single one of them. He has also picked up an assist.
The 24-year-old will surely be looking to continue his good run against Club Brugge on Wednesday night. If he does, he could set a new Arsenal record.
No player in the club’s entire history has managed to score in five consecutive Champions League games. Not even Thierry Henry has achieved that feat.
If Martinelli finds the net against Brugge, he will become the first Arsenal player to do so, which would be an incredible record.
What should Arsenal’s front three be vs Club Brugge?
How heavily do you want Mikel Arteta to rotate? Let us know the front three you’d like to see against Club Brugge.
Gabriel Martinelli is better suited to Champions League games
Martinelli scored 15 goals in the Premier League in the 2022/23 season, which was his best return as an Arsenal player since he joined the club.
Since then, the Brazilian has struggled in the English top flight. He scored six in the following campaign and eight last season. This term, he has just one goal to his name in the Premier League.
The reason for that is Martinelli doesn’t get much space to run in behind and exploit in the domestic games. Most teams in England deploy a low block against Mikel Arteta’s side.
In the Champions League, however, teams tend to attack a lot more, and that allows Martinelli to have a big impact in the final third.
That is why we think the attacker is far more suited to continental games than the ones in the Premier League.
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