Arsenal: Gabriel Martinelli and Arteta disagreement ignores key reason

Arsenal have not seen much of Gabriel Martinelli since he returned from his lengthy injury lay-off, playing only 13 minutes of football since the beginning of February.

As such, Mikel Arteta has been accused of mishandling the Brazilian. Anger over his lack of involvement while the likes of Willian is given regular outings, has left what was supposed to be a smooth return to the first team rough around the edges.

Interviews are resurfacing from previous seasons in a bid to stir up a narrative that completely disregards the obvious fitness concerns that could severely hamper a 19-year-old’s progress to an even greater degree.

Gabriel Martinelli missed 30 matches having requiring surgery on his knee in 2020, and while he was brought back into the fold earlier than expected during the Gunners’ darkest spell under Arteta’s reign, further injuries set the forward back and he’s been an unused substitute in the last six Premier League matches.

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Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Arteta disagreement over positions ignores key Arsenal reason

This has prompted talk of a disagreement between the pair of where Martinelli is best suited to play.

"“[Aubameyang and Martinelli] are centre forwards,” Arteta said one year ago, while since, another interview with Martinelli has cropped up. “I really like playing on the left end,” Martinelli said last February. “It is my favourite position.”"

This has added fuel to arguments over whether Arteta is limiting the Brazilian’s playing time as he doesn’t see him suit the left-winger role.

Between the two, talks will obviously have taken place, likely every day, over how and where Arsenal can get the best out of Martinelli. Like seen in the first leg against Benfica, Arteta opted to field him at the central striker in the latter stages of the match as opposed to out wide. With a plethora of forward options to choose from, there is every chance he may merge into a full-time centre-forward.

After all, he shone there in cup competitions last year. So is this internal difference of opinion resulting in a lack of minutes? No, of course there is more.

The Main Reason Gabriel Martinelli isn’t Playing for Arsenal

Beyond tactics and formations, a healthy dose of patience is urged. It’s needed.

After five months out injured with the first major setback in a short career, Martinelli then started against Manchester City, Chelsea and Brighton. These were fixtures where his energy was a valuable asset after the dire stretch of form, and his inclusion was somewhat forced to provide a lift. Something had to give.

Following those matches, he got a rest against West Brom and then fell foul to injury against Newcastle during the warm-up of the FA Cup clash.

Ever since that occurred he’s been managed carefully by Arteta, who is easing him back into the fold. It’s wise.

Martinelli was superb last season in his breakthrough campaign, which understandably heightened the calls for his immediate return to the starting lineup. But he’s only 19 years old. He has his whole career ahead of him and managing his fitness and development has taken centre stage since the twisted ankle pre-Newcastle.

"“He’s a player that is going to give us a lot but he needs some time,” Arteta said in early March. “We need to find the right games for him and the right connections for him on the pitch to do what he can do best.”"

Patience must be heeded with the young players in the squad, just as they were with Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka – the latter not playing any of the final three rounds of the FA Cup run last season and starting on the bench in two of the first three Premier League matches this season.

He’s being nurtured and yes, sure, where he is best suited may be a topic conversation, and if it is at centre-forward there is no dislodging Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in current form, while Nicolas Pepe has a strong case to be starting ahead of him on the left.

When Arsenal are winning there is no mention of Martinelli’s name, yet if results don’t follow, it becomes the knee-jerk response to call out.

Seeing what happened to Thomas Partey already this season, lessons have been learnt in regards to player fitness. Martinelli’s time will come, and he’ll be as good, if not better, than supporters remember.