Opinion

Gabriel Martinelli has an issue at Arsenal that has been going on for way too long now

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Gabriel Martinelli’s inconsistency this season is exactly the reason why Arsenal must look to replace him next summer.

Last weekend, Martinelli netted a hat-trick against Portsmouth, but fast forward six days and the Brazilian was hugely frustrating in front of goal away at Nottingham Forest.

🤔 Use one word to summarise Gabriel Martinelli’s 2025/26 campaign… GO!

Gabriel Martinelli's Arsenal stats.
Credit: Molly Darlington – AMA/Getty Images

Mikel Arteta’s team missed the chance to move nine points clear at the top of the Premier League following a goalless draw at the City Ground.

The Spanish manager made the rather strange call to bench Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard for the game, instead starting Noni Madueke and Martinelli.

The 24-year-old spurned several opportunities to break the deadlock, but his inability to find the back of the net ended up costing the team two points.

Gabriel Martinelli has become really inconsistent at Arsenal

Gabriel Martinelli has become really inconsistent at Arsenal following his half-time withdrawal against Nottingham Forest.

The Brazilian winger has shown flashes of brilliance this season, but not nearly enough and against Forest, his poor performance was a reason why the team dropped points.

From his four attempts at goal, the winger failed to register a single attempt on target, but he was not alone, with Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres also struggling.

Over recent weeks, he has really struggled in games against Liverpool, Chelsea and now Forest.

Which left winger would you most like to see Andrea Berta prioritise in 2026?

Credit: Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images, Daniele Badolato – Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images – Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images – Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

The 24-year-old has nine goals this term, but five have come in the Champions League, three in the FA Cup and just one in the Premier League.

Martinelli has a single goal contribution in the league this term, and this must change soon, or Arteta will stop trusting him.

Andrea Berta wants to sign a new attacker during 2026, and that is likely to be a left winger. Right now, this cannot come quickly enough, given his poor form.

Mikel Arteta explains why he dropped Bukayo Saka for Arsenal

Arteta will face some backlash for dropping Saka for Arsenal’s big game against Forest.

The Spaniard claims that the winger has played a lot of minutes recently and was carrying a minor issue.

Speaking after the game, Arteta told the media: “Bukayo has played a lot of minutes, and he had a niggle before the game.”