Now or never for Gabriel Martinelli: Enigmatic Arsenal winger facing fight to save Gunners career following Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke arrivals
The Brazil international has yet to unlock his full potential at the Emirates Stadium, and could soon find himself on the fringes of the line upJust over two years ago, Arsenal welcomed Nottingham Forest to the Emirates Stadium for their first Premier League game of the 2023-24 campaign. After a cagey first 25 minutes, Gabriel Martinelli conjured up the moment of magic his team were crying out for. There didn't look to be much on when the Brazilian picked the ball up on the left flank with two defenders closely tracking him, but he dribbled towards the byline before deceiving them both with an outrageous pirouette backheel pass to Eddie Nketiah, who subsequently shimmied inside and fired low into the net to give the Gunners the lead - with the aid of a slight deflection.It was an instant assist-of-the-season contender that set Arsenal on their way to a 2-1 victory, a sublime piece of skill that very few players would even dare attempt, but Martinelli has always had that in his locker. The problem is, he hasn't pulled it out consistently enough.Arsenal are preparing to host Forest again on Saturday, six years on from Martinelli's stunning introduction to English audiences, and he has yet to unlock his full potential. The enigmatic 24-year-old still has the capacity to be a match-winner, but more often than not, he frustrates with his decision-making and execution.Time is now running out for him to change that. The summer arrivals of Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke in north London have significantly increased competition in attack, while Leandro Trossard has agreed terms on a new contract, and Martinelli's position will come under serious threat if he continues to fall short with his end product. The former Ituano wonderkid has played a key role in Mikel Arteta's revolution to this point, but Arsenal need a lot more from him if they are to take the next step and get their hands on some major silverware.
The Brazil international has yet to unlock his full potential at the Emirates Stadium, and could soon find himself on the fringes of the line upJust over two years ago, Arsenal welcomed Nottingham Forest to the Emirates Stadium for their first Premier League game of the 2023-24 campaign. After a cagey first 25 minutes, Gabriel Martinelli conjured up the moment of magic his team were crying out for. There didn't look to be much on when the Brazilian picked the ball up on the left flank with two defenders closely tracking him, but he dribbled towards the byline before deceiving them both with an outrageous pirouette backheel pass to Eddie Nketiah, who subsequently shimmied inside and fired low into the net to give the Gunners the lead - with the aid of a slight deflection.It was an instant assist-of-the-season contender that set Arsenal on their way to a 2-1 victory, a sublime piece of skill that very few players would even dare attempt, but Martinelli has always had that in his locker. The problem is, he hasn't pulled it out consistently enough.Arsenal are preparing to host Forest again on Saturday, six years on from Martinelli's stunning introduction to English audiences, and he has yet to unlock his full potential. The enigmatic 24-year-old still has the capacity to be a match-winner, but more often than not, he frustrates with his decision-making and execution.Time is now running out for him to change that. The summer arrivals of Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke in north London have significantly increased competition in attack, while Leandro Trossard has agreed terms on a new contract, and Martinelli's position will come under serious threat if he continues to fall short with his end product. The former Ituano wonderkid has played a key role in Mikel Arteta's revolution to this point, but Arsenal need a lot more from him if they are to take the next step and get their hands on some major silverware.
