Arsenal Vs Leeds: Gabriel Martinelli perfect Mikel Arteta weapon

Gabriel Martinelli made his return in Arsenal’s win over Leeds United and immediately looked razor-sharp. He is the perfect weapon for Mikel Arteta to unleash.

If there is one tactical element that new Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has been most keen to implement since arriving in north London, it is the compactness, intelligence and intensity of the team’s high press, especially from the attacking players.

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With a higher defensive line limiting the space for the opposition to play through, the tempo, energy and purpose of Arsenal’s pressing in the final third has been much improved. Even the likes of Mesut Ozil and Nicolas Pepe, two players not exactly renowned for their defensive work-rate and production, have adapted to Arteta’s demands. But what would happen when true counter-pressers comprise the attacking positions?

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Well, that question might well be answered as and when Gabriel Martinelli is eased back into the fray. After suffering a tight left hamstring and missing the first three matches of Arteta’s reign, Martinelli was brought back into the first-team picture in Monday night’s 1-0 victory over Leeds United in the third round of the FA Cup. Playing the final 23 minutes from off the bench, Martinelli immediately proved why he is the perfect player to excel in Arteta’s high-pressing system.

Obviously, there were his moments in possession. His slaloming dribbling was a real handful for Luke Ayling, he skipped past several Leeds defenders on more than one occasion, including one run that ended with a low, precise shot from the edge of the penalty area that was well palmed around the far post. But it was his incessant pressing that was most influential, and suggested that he is the perfect attacking player for Arteta to unleash.

Very reminiscent to the work-rate of Gabriel Jesus, who temporarily de-seated Sergio Aguero as the starter at Manchester City because of his pressing ability, Martinelli plays with that South American fire and ferocity that makes him such a handful, with and without the ball. He is utterly relentless, in the very best sense of the word. And that makes him ideal for Arteta.

Playing off the left flank, perhaps in place of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in future years, Martinelli has the ideal blend of industry, pace, quality on the ball to beat defenders, and a mysterious knack for getting in goalscoring positions — he is still the second-highest scorer at the club this season and has notched goals on his EFL Cup, League Cup and Premier League debuts.

At just 18, Martinelli’s use this season might not be as great as his talent suggests, especially with Alexandre Lacazette and Aubameyang continue as the primary goalscorers, but as the years unfold, do not be surprised to see him take on a premier role in Arteta’s team. He might well be the regular starter on the left flank next season should Aubameyang depart in the summer.

And given his natural skill set and how it fits in with what Arteta requires from his offensive players, that is nothing but exciting. Martinelli is the perfect Arteta player, and Arsenal will be the beneficiaries.