Arsenal: Gabriel Martinelli is missing only one thing

Gabriel Martinelli had a wonderful Arsenal match against Sheffield United, but was unable to apply the finishing touch to a couple of promising moves. But contrary to popular belief, the 18-year-old is a pretty complete footballer. He’s only missing one thing.

Gabriel Martinelli has been wrongly criticized for his performance in Arsenal‘s 1-1 draw to Sheffield United this past Saturday. People apparently now doubt his quality, after he skewed a couple of promising chances wide of the net. I don’t think people understand how incredible Martinelli is, and how lucky we are to have him.

His defining trait, above all else, is his energy. It is literally contagious. And not just because he is a fast and dynamic attacker. He works for the team with every breath he takes on the pitch, and is constantly fired up.

There was one moment in particular against Sheffield United that I saw which was incredible. He was pressing George Baldock high up the left side of the field, and waved for support. When Lacazette didn’t run to help, he turned, and hollered at the nearest player not wearing lime green. This player was Mesut Özil.

The German was slowly trotting back to the center of the park, until Martinelli’s shout galvanized him into action. He turned on his heel, and sprinted to mark John Lundstram, who we frustrated into silence on Saturday, often by the pressing duo of Martinelli and Özil.

If this 18-year-old kid can inspire increased effort from Mesut Ozil, a player long famed for his lackadaisical air and unconcerned demeanor on the pitch, then he’s got my vote. Keep in mind, these two footballers don’t speak the same language, and were born 13 years apart. The only thing that unites them is the red-and-white on their backs. And yet, Martinelli has the strength of character to inspire change in the 31-year-old. I’d follow him too.

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And that’s not to mention his skill on the ball. He is our second leading scorer on the year, by a fair margin. He has 9 goals in 20 appearances, 10 of which came as a sub. He’s a player of proven Premier League quality, and has the versatility and skill to play up front, off either flank, or centrally as a Number 10.

There is only one thing the Brazilian is missing. And that’s experience. Of those 20 games he has played since leaving the Brazilian third tier, 12 have been in the league, and he has only started 4 of those. And yet in those games, he has scored 2 goals, both coming in his four starts. Maybe we should start him more.

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There is literally nothing the kid can’t do. He’s got an extreme instinct for goal, with both feet and his head. BR’s Sam TIghe had this to say about the 18-year-old:

"I’m excited about a lot to do with Arsenal and Arteta, but Martinelli really is the player, of all of their young players on the fringes, like Reiss Nelson, like Smith-Rowe, like Willock, all those guys, he’s the one I’m most excited about. There’s something about Martinelli that I absolutely adore. I think it’s because he feels like—it’s fitting that he’s Brazilian as well—it feels like he’s the forward version of Marcelo, in that when he gets the ball, chaos just starts to happen, to ensue. Put the ball at his feet, he’s got really nice footwork, can shift it from side to side, he can take a man on and create some space. He seems to be able to cross and finish and head the ball. It’s remarkable for a player who has just moved continents at age 18, how good he is, and how well he has settled."

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That’s some seriously high praise, and I can’t help but agree. When Martinelli finally breaks into this starting XI—and it will happen, mark my words—he is going to be irreplaceable. We just need to get him the experience that will ensure he grows into the superstar we all know he is.

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