Arsenal plans for Gabriel Martinelli revealed after lack of minutes

Mikel Arteta Following Pep Guardiola with Martinelli Patience

Phil Foden is quite exceptional. Alongside Mason Mount and Bukayo Saka, he stands out as the outstanding youngster in the Premier League.

His path to this point has been filled with groans and complaints. Supporters, not only of Manchester City but of other clubs, have longed for Foden to be granted more playing time. Pep Guardiola, the ultimate tinkerman, has been extremely gradual in integrating him into his side.

"“He plays football in the same rhythm, football must be need played in different rhythms: sometimes you have to walk, sometimes you have no rhythm, sometimes you have to change the rhythm,” Guardiola said of Foden. “There will be a moment when he slows down, it’s a normal process for all young players. You just stick have to stick with them and be patient.”"

Now he’s vying for a Team of the Season spot and a regular berth in the England starting lineup. He deserves both. But he, just like Martinelli, is young. Manage a prodigy such as these two accordingly and they will become world beaters. Coach them to the best of their abilities and the end result will be far greater than originally anticipated.

Is Arteta going one step too far by omitting him entirely from matchday squads? Perhaps so. However he sees Martinelli as a centre-forward in the longer term, and the method he’s adopting is the one he believes is best suited to unlocking that potential.

You can’t help but feel Martinelli can still add something to this side. His raw talent alone is capable of winning matches and few members are as infectious as him when it comes to raising the overall energy of the team.

Next season looks like being the campaign for him in a similar way to Thomas Partey, who we’re not going to see the very best of, possibly, until he’s had a full pre-season behind him. There is faith in the manager to manage this situation accordingly – he has learnt from the best after all – but maybe don’t keep leaving him out of matchday squads. Coaching or no coaching, he’s one of the best players in the team.