Ray Parlour believes Mikel Arteta will grant one particular individual a start for Arsenal against Port Vale on Wednesday night.
The Gunners snatched a late point at home to Manchester City on Sunday, thanks to a stunning lob from Gabriel Martinelli in the 93rd minute.
Arteta’s team now sit five points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool after five matches, with Newcastle at St. James’ Park to come on Sunday.
Before that, the Spaniard will have the chance to rest several of his key players as Arsenal travel to Staffordshire to face Port Vale in the Carabao Cup.
Ray Parlour thinks Mikel Arteta will start Gabriel Martinelli against Port Vale
The early rounds of the Carabao Cup present Arteta with an opportunity to make several changes and protect some of his senior players for future league matches.
However, they also give the Gunners boss a chance to field players who are coming into form and need another run-out to help them carry on this momentum.
Martinelli expertly scored the equaliser at the weekend and fits this latter category of needing to continue his form with another outing.
Speaking on talkSPORT, former Arsenal player and now pundit Ray Parlour described the Brazilian’s goal against City as ‘absolutely superb’, before claiming that he’s likely to start at Vale Park.
“Brilliant finish, absolutely superb,” Parlour said.
“I’m really pleased for Martinelli, he needed that, he’s a confidence player, so that will give him a big boost.
“He will probably start in the week vs Port Vale, and if he can get another goal, it’s always good for him to do that.”
Gabriel Martinelli should also start against Newcastle on Sunday
Noni Madueke has been ruled out for two months with a hamstring injury sustained against City at the weekend.
This absence will give Martinelli plenty more opportunities to play in the next few months and his involvement in the league team should start with the Newcastle game.
Eberechi Eze impressed as a number ten against City and should retain his place in this position. The Crystal Palace man is the best alternative to Martin Odegaard at Arteta’s disposal, and the Norwegian may not be ready to feature against the Magpies.
This will leave one of Martinelli or Leandro Trossard to start on the left, and based on the two players’ performances in the last few matches, the Brazil international should get the nod.
While the 24-year-old has struggled against Newcastle right-back Tino Livramento in previous seasons, he has shown a clear inclination to make diagonal runs in behind in the last few matches, rather than trying to take on his full-back. This should serve him well at St. James’ Park.
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