Mikel Arteta has an abundance of talent in his Arsenal squad, with one player once backed to fill some big shoes.
Not only has Arteta inherited some remarkable talent from those before him at Arsenal but has unearthed some of his own too.
Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri are on course to become the next wave of Hale End-made superstars to emerge, with both player’s being crucial to Arteta’s squad.
While the Arsenal manager is responsible for the resurgence of belief at the Emirates, there’s work for the coach to do when it comes to getting the best out of some individuals.
Gabriel Martinelli was once backed to be the next Ronaldo
One player who has been underperforming for some time is Gabriel Martinelli.
The winger scored 15 goals in the 2022/23 season but hasn’t hit double figures since, portraying a decline in form for the Brazilian.
Martinelli has frustrated Arsenal fans this campaign due to not fulfilling his potential, with the bar once set very high for the forward – and for good reason.
In 2020, when Martinelli was 18, footballing icon Ronaldinho spoke highly of the Arsenal star, comparing him to none other than Ronaldo Nazario.
“We as Brazilians are very excited about him and his future. It is one thing to have the talent – but another at the age of 18 to have the confidence,” Ronaldinho told The Mirror.
The World Cup winner elaborated on why he expected such big things from Martinelli.
“He reminds me of Ronaldo his first season in Europe he scored 30 goals and people were thinking: ‘Who is this 18-year-old Brazilian kid?’
“He wanted the ball, he would run at players, there was no fear no matter what players or team he was playing against – and I see that similar attitude in Martinelli.”
Ronaldinho went on to back the then teenager to have the ‘aim’ of being the ‘best player in the world’, just as Ronaldo did.
“He just wants to be on the ball and score goals. Ronaldo went on to be the best player in the world – and that can also be the aim of Martinelli.”
Thierry Henry wants more from Martinelli
In the 2022/23 season, Martinelli showed glimpses of what he’s capable of doing but ever since, the Brazilian has flattered to deceive.
Ronaldinho predicted that the Arsenal ace would go on to replicate Ronaldo, who in his early twenties pulled off a 60 goal contribution campaign for Barcelona.
Since the start of last season, Martinelli has scored only 12 goals in the Premier League, proving Ronaldinho’s early verdict to be considerably incorrect.
That being said, Martinelli can spare the Brazil legend’s blushes by answering the demands of Thierry Henry.
Henry blasted Martinelli’s decision making in December 2024, suggesting that his actions cost Arsenal through the choices he makes in wide areas.
The Arsenal legend has a problem with how the Brazilian goes about his game on the flank, which has contributed to how his form has fallen off quite considerably over the past two years.
Can Martinelli find his way once more? Only time will tell but, Ronaldinho will certainly hope so.
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