Arsenal: 3 players who Mikel Arteta must lean on more

2. Gabriel Martinelli

While Pepe mans the right flank, on the opposite side, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been ever-present. The only matches he has not appeared in under Arteta are the three FA Cup ties in which Arteta used weakened sides and two Premier League matches for which he was suspended.

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That cannot continue. While Arsenal are hugely dependent on Aubameyang for his goals, with only Danny Ings and Teemu Pukki scoring a higher proportion of their team’s goals in the Premier League this season, Aubameyang cannot be expected to carry the team every single match. He needs rest, and Arsenal need to find other options.

At the centre-forward position, Arteta has rotated between Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah, using the pair in competition with one another to ensure that the position remains valuable to the team. Aubameyang does not need any competition, but Gabriel Martinelli can help ease his playing time and share the goalscoring burden.

Martinelli is the club’s second-highest goalscorer in all competitions. He has performed well as both a centre-forward and on the left flank, and he could help ease Aubameyang’s minutes down. This season, Aubameyang has played 91% of the Premier League minutes and had a hand in 45% of the team’s goals. Martinelli can help ease the pressure.