Arsenal have several versatile players in their squad.
Mikel Arteta has always liked footballers who can play in multiple positions. It gives him a number of options in every game.
Gabriel Martinelli is a player who can play anywhere across the front line, but Arteta has always been reluctant to move him away from his usual left-wing position.
The Arsenal manager has now explained why.
Why Mikel Arteta doesn’t want Gabriel Martinelli to play as Arsenal’s striker
Martinelli started his Arsenal career as a centre-forward under Unai Emery.
The Brazilian, who was just 18 years old at the time, was given the opportunity to lead Arsenal’s line, and he was fantastic there.
In his first two starts as a centre-forward in the Europa League, Martinelli scored three goals and provided an assist. He scored a brace each in his first two starts as a striker in the EFL Cup.
The numbers show that he has what it takes to deliver up front, and some Arsenal fans have wanted Arteta to play Martinelli as a striker.
The Arsenal boss was quizzed about that in his press conference ahead of the clash against Everton.
He said, as relayed on HaytersTV: “He has played (as a striker) a few times. I think Gabi is so good when he’s got the line on his back and he’s facing forward and he has got the goal in the diagonal.
“I haven’t thought too much about that (playing him as a striker). He’s so comfortable on the left side. I think I see other evolutions more than this one.”
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Mikel Arteta must do one thing to help Martinelli explode at Arsenal
Arteta’s comments suggest that he will not move Martinelli to a number nine position – he doesn’t even see it as an option.
We’re not too upset about that as the left-wing is the Brazilian’s best position. But, he needs a lot more help there than he is getting now.
Most of Arsenal’s attacks come down the right-wing. That has been effective, but Martinelli’s numbers have plummeted because of that, especially in the Premier League.
To make things worse, the former Ituano man often gets the ball when he is marked by a defender. He rarely ever gets sent through in a dangerous situation.
Arteta has to change something on that front to get the best out of Martinelli. We think Mikel Merino is the answer to that question.
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