Arsenal: 6 players fighting for their places in the team

5. Gabriel Martinelli

It’s near enough the exact same situation for Gabriel Martinelli as it is for Pepe, with the exception of him being one step further away from the starting lineup than his Ivorian teammate. He didn’t get a sniff in a game suited for him on the south coast.

Versatile enough that he can play anywhere across a front three, the difference for Martinelli is that he is much more effective down the left than the right. Unfortunately for him, there is Smith Rowe, Saka and Pepe who can all also play on the left.

Visibly disgruntled at being substituted against AFC Wimbledon, a game he will have surely earmarked on the calendar as his only start for some time, he will be watching his teammates forming a bond as well as they are and struggle to see where he fits in.

The approach Arsenal have with both wide players in Saka and Smith Rowe doesn’t suit Martinelli’s skillset, and while different approaches and profiles are needed game by game, it’s the striker role where he might be looking at.

There are far too many centre-forwards on the books at the minute given the dearth of minutes for them all to play, so that might be more than hard work. Still, it will come down to the same situation as always in where Martinelli simply must seize his opportunities when they come. He’s looking at the occasional cameo here and there at the moment. He has to make them count.

Continued…