Arsenal: 4 players impacted by Folarin Balogun contract

Gabriel Martinelli

Someone affected in a positive way is Gabriel Martinelli.

Widely circulated that Arteta sees him as a centre-forward in the long-term, the manager even said as much pre-lockdown. While it’s a process that is dragging on longer than most supporters, and certain pundits *cough* Keown *cough* would have liked, the decision is Arteta’s and he’s clearly easing into the transition.

With winnable (if such a term exists for Arsenal) Premier League fixtures before the end of the season there is scope for Martinelli to play a few matches as the striker, but it is next season which will be most exciting.

Should Nketiah and Lacazette leave as expected, Martinelli will be behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and ahead of Balogun in the pecking order for centre-forward, on the basis Arsenal don’t sign another striker.

They are expected to do so if the Frenchman departs, but it opens up the door for the Brazilian to  master his craft in the position. It’s speculation that he’ll be ahead of Balogun – but expected nonetheless given his total lack of top-flight experience – meaning less time unfairly warming the bench and more time burning past centre-backs.