Gabriel Martinelli problem resurfaces for Arsenal amid key Mikel Arteta demand, time is running out

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Arsenal fell slightly behind in the Premier League title race after drawing 2-2 with Liverpool.

Only nine games have been played in the league so far however, the title race started on the opening day.

That is what clubs who aim to go toe-to-toe with Manchester City are expected to accept, as Pep Guardiola’s side are not the squad to play catch up with.

Already, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are five points behind the reigning champions after failing to take three points from Liverpool. 

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Gabriel Martinelli has to continue to step up

While there can be few complaints about Arsenal’s performance against Liverpool, the fact remains that two leading positions were squandered.

Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino thought they’d won the game in the first half, all for Mohamed Salah to net an 81st-minute equaliser.

It was a frustrating error that led to the Egyptian scoring late, starting with Gabriel Martinelli’s inability to keep the ball. 

• READ MORE: Why VAR didn’t give Arsenal a penalty when Ibrahima Konate appeared to foul Gabriel Martinelli

Unfortunately, that was the tale of the Brazilian’s afternoon. The winger lost possession 18 times on the left side, recording only one shot on goal, which was off target, via Sofascore. 

Things should have been different for the 23-year-old at the Emirates, as after finding his feet again by scoring against Leicester City and Southampton, Martinelli failed to score when it mattered against Bournemouth. 

Arsenal lost against the Cherries before facing Liverpool, with Martinelli having the chance to put his side ahead, a chance he failed to convert.

Little improvement was evident against Arne Slot’s side, as a concerning matter of immature decision-making came back into play.

Mikel Arteta has made it clear what he wants from his wingers

After seeing what Saka did on the right side, Martinelli should have felt somewhat inspired although, imitating the Englishman did not quite come off.

It should be a concern for the forward, as Arteta has already made it abundantly clear what he requires from his wide players.

“At this level, we’re talking about what we have to do this week and the way we play and the demands that we have.

• READ MORE: Theo Walcott says Arsenal star needs to ‘improve’ in one area, or he could cost them the title

“We need wingers with the ability to go one vs one, to attack the spaces, to have the work rate, to increase the goal threat from every position,” the boss said in a pre-match press conference earlier in the campaign.

The Brazil international is undoubtedly a danger on the flank, but more often than not, he is unable to produce what’s needed, whether that be the final ball, a shot, or the direction of his dribbles.

After scoring against Southampton and Leicester, there was optimism that Martinelli was on the rise again although, what unfolded on match days eight and nine tell a different story.