Gabriel Martinelli is one of Arsenal’s longest-serving players and he’s set to feature in the club’s biggest game for decades against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
The Brazilian has endured a somewhat turbulent last 18 months, although he’s hit form at the right time for the Gunners, scoring twice in his last three matches.
Netting nine goals and registering five assists this season, Martinelli scored the winner away at the Bernabeu in the quarter-final of Europe’s elite competition, a statement moment that should give him confidence moving forward.
His pace and threat in behind is essential to the way Arsenal play, as is his counterpart on the other flank.
Gabriel Martinelli says he loves Bukayo Saka
Criticised for some of his decision-making and execution in the final third at times this season, Martinelli has impressed in recent weeks, showing significantly more assertiveness with some of his final actions.
Opposite winger Bukayo Saka has certainly not had issues in these departments, with the Englishman continuing to light the Emirates up with his mercurial talent.
The pair of wide forwards have been in Arsenal’s first team together since the beginning of the 2019/20 season, and represent the cornerstones of this iteration of the Gunners.
Asked about Saka by the media on Monday evening, prior to the clash with PSG in N5, Martinelli waxed lyrical about the talisman.
“It’s amazing to have him in the team and next to me,” he said.
“He’s a brother to me. I love him. I think he’s one of the best players in the world right now. We are lucky to have him here.
“We’ve been through so many things here at the club and I think we deserve to be living this moment right now, and we deserve to win something great for this football club.”
Arsenal will hope that Martinelli’s return to form isn’t temporary, and that they may have the elite talent that they thought they had finally coming into his own.
The Sao Paulo born man matched Saka’s goal tally in the 2022/23 season, netting 15 times in all competition, and could still be capable of producing a campaign like that in the future again.
Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka’s statistics compared
While Martinelli has aspirations of getting to Saka’s level again, he’s generally been very far off it this season.
The underlying data illustrates how much more productive the England international has been than his teammate.
| Statistical Comparison 2024/25 (Premier League only) | ||
| Stat | Saka | Martinelli |
| Appearances | 21 | 29 |
| Goals | 6 | 7 |
| Assists | 10 | 4 |
| Shots per 90 | 3.34 | 2.07 |
| Expected Goals per 90 | 0.36 | 0.27 |
| Key Passes per 90 | 3.02 | 1.57 |
| Expected Assists per 90 | 0.43 | 0.18 |
| Successful Take-ons per 90 | 2.28 | 1.38 |
Saka has been putting up better shot and expected goals numbers, whilst producing elite creative numbers, while Martinelli’s data has dropped off a cliff in the last 18 months.
However, the damage for Martinelli isn’t irreparable, and he can certainly improve next season in a more settled team that isn’t hampered by injuries.
What the former Ituano man brings that no one else in the Arsenal squad quite has is the ability to stretch teams by making runs in behind – an attribute that will be absolutely key to exploiting the space PSG’s advanced full-backs leave.
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