Mikel Arteta may have finally found a squad role for one Arsenal player which is getting the best out of him.
The Gunners are riding high at the moment, sitting top of the Premier League and fourth in the Champions League table.
Arsenal thrashed Atletico Madrid 4-0 in midweek, courtesy of second-half goals from Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli, and a brace from Viktor Gyokeres.
While the likes of Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi stole the headlines with their performances, another player’s showing was arguably the greatest positive from the night.
Gabriel Martinelli attempted five dribbles vs Atletico Madrid
Martinelli was electric against Atletico Madrid.
The Brazilian was deployed on the left of the Gunners’ front three, and he produced a performance that should prompt Arteta to start him over Leandro Trossard against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Working tirelessly off the ball, Martinelli took his goal brilliantly and used his pace to great effect on numerous occasions, as he constantly looked to stretch the Atletico backline by making runs in behind.
However, perhaps most encouragingly for Arteta, the 24-year-old looked like he’d rediscovered his confidence. The wide forward has been a shadow of his former self in recent seasons, playing very much within himself.
He’s clearly lost belief in his ability to take players on, and before the clash with Atletico, he hadn’t attempted more than two dribbles in a single game this season.
Against Diego Simeone’s side, he attempted five take-ons. Although only one was successful, this showed his willingness to try to make things happen.
At this point, Arteta is well aware that Martinelli isn’t the most efficient dribbler, but the fact that he was willing to try to take opposition defenders on again is a clear indication that he’s got his mojo back.
Gabriel Martinelli’s new role suits him perfectly
Yaya Toure described Martinelli as a ‘constant threat’ against Atletico.
What made him a constant threat is what always tends to make him a dangerous player, his movement and runs into space.
However, he’s not always capable of finding this space in the Premier League, particularly when playing against deep low blocks.
That’s why his new squad role suits him perfectly. Arteta has seemingly decided that the former Ituano man will start in the Champions League, where there is more space to operate, while he’ll be used as an impact substitute against tiring legs in the Premier League.
Not only does this suit his attributes, but it’s also perfect for him psychologically. He no longer has the weight of the world on his shoulders and can concentrate on his primary skills.
Martinelli is a player reborn this season.
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