Why Arsenal can’t replace Bukayo Saka with Gabriel Martinelli – he’s one of the Premier League’s worst

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Arsenal are set for a trialling start to 2025 as Mikel Arteta continues to adapt without Bukayo Saka.

After it was announced that Saka underwent surgery on his hamstring, Arsenal’s priorities shifted.

The Gunners have to find a way to replace their star player, who has contributed to 15 Premier League goals this season.

Saka will be out for months with an injury in which his return cannot be rushed, putting pressure on Arteta to find an adequate solution.

• READ MORE: Bukayo Saka breaks silence on heartbreaking Arsenal injury and surgery with clear return message

Statistic highlights painful Gabriel Martinelli weakness

Saka’s hamstring injury is a considerable blow for Arsenal, who have no forward capable of replicating the 23-year-old’s standard.

Such has bred criticism over Arteta’s failures in the transfer window, where the Gunners failed to sign a top-quality forward to compete and cover in attack.

Against Ipswich Town, Arsenal utilised Gabriel Martinelli on the right which was expected however, the Brazilian’s suitability to replace Saka stems deeper than a positional comparison.

While Martinelli is viewed as a sufficient replacement for Saka, the winger is a level below his teammate, and many others in the Premier League, as one haunting statistic proves. 

FBref’s data places Martinelli in the bottom 13% of Premier League attacking midfielders and wingers when it comes to his average of goal-creating actions per 90. 

Such reinforces how little the Brazil international actually contributes in front of goal on a 90-minute basis, placing him alarmingly low down in the league rankings.

What is most concerning is that Saka is the Premier League’s best in that area, averaging 1.49 per 90 to Martinelli’s abysmal 0.17. 

Martinelli cannot replace Bukayo Saka’s goal threat

Arsenal want to see Saka return at the end of February but until then, Arteta has a long list of challenges to overcome.

For this reason and where Arsenal are in comparison to Liverpool in the title race, the manager cannot slack on identifying his Saka replacement.

While Martinelli had a blistering campaign in 2022/23, the Brazilian hasn’t seen near such levels since, with some even calling for the winger to be replaced on the left. 

Now, the same figure is expected to replace Saka on the right, spelling bad news for Arsenal’s title hopes.