Sol Campbell certainly caused a bit of a stir around north London before and after Arsenal’s recent victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium.
On that occasion at least, Arsenal were able to get the job done against Spurs, who are having a torrid season themselves.
After 22 games played, Arsenal are second, but the general consensus is that Mikel Arteta’s team will struggle to catch Liverpool, a six-point gap that only looks likely to increase.
Part of the reason for Arsenal failing to close the distance to Liverpool has been their poor finishing of late, they’ve either been unable to kill games in front of goal or simply take the lead altogether.
And whilst it’s obvious that Arteta would benefit from the arrival of a striker this month, the Gunners will likely need to find a solution internally.
Bukayo Saka is progressing well in his attempts to return from injury, but Arsenal can’t simply wait until then.
Sol Campbell says Gabriel Martinelli needs to improve at Arsenal
That being said, Sol Campbell was asked if there was any Arsenal player in particular that he thought had dropped off this season when speaking on ‘Rio Ferdinand Presents’.
The former Arsenal defender immediately mentioned Gabriel Martinelli’s name, who has arguably been on the decline for a while.
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Campbell spoke fairly positively about the Brazilian, thinking that he was starting to get his confidence back
But ultimately the Arsenal icon concluded that Maritnelli did need to ‘step it up’ to make the difference for Arsenal.
Campbell said: “I think, you might say, you look at Martinelli and you say that, you know he can do it – it’s getting him back to that level.
“Once he’s in front of goal, once he’s kind of in and around the box or in and around the wing, good crosses, just being there on a regular basis.
“I think he’s getting there, I think there’s signs that he’s getting that confidence back.
“I think he is the player I see coming back, if he can step it up I think that will help big time and hopefully Saka comes in [when he is fit].”
Gabriel Martinelli is showing signs of life at Arsenal
Fortunately, Martinelli impressed Arsenal fans against Aston Villa last weekend, even if Arteta’s side let their lead slip.
Martinelli’s efforts on the right wing in Saka’s absence have been somewhat hit and miss, explaining why Raheem Sterling has also been given a chance of late.
Micah Richards also criticised Martinelli recently – there’s no doubting that the Brazilian needs to continue to improve.
It does feel as if Martinelli’s attacking threat has somewhat been stifled by the defensive work he’s been asked to do by Arteta in recent years.
Saka is able to perform brilliantly at both ends, but that’s solely because he’s a generational talent.
And in some respects, Arsenal fans want to see Arteta set Martinelli free on the left, a player who was so dangerous when he appeared slightly more raw.
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