Arsenal: 4 players who still have a big role to play this season

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta gestures from the side-lines during the English League Cup third round football match between Arsenal and AFC Wimbledon at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 22, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

4 of 4

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 22: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal in action during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and AFC Wimbledon at Emirates Stadium on September 22, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

4. Gabriel Martinelli

Will he get a chance, or is it more hopeful than anything? For a fanbase who adores the young Brazilian, hope might be the word.

We have to believe he will have a big part to play this season. At the moment he is barely getting a sniff despite being in peak physical condition. With just two league outings to start the season when injuries struck and 88 combined minutes in EFL Cup outings, it’s been slim pickings.

It won’t have helped him to see all four of the forwards ahead of him in the pecking order at Arsenal – Pepe, Aubameyang, Smith Rowe and Saka – all netting while on international duty, which in itself could prove to be a setback.

But the season is long. There are still 31 Premier League matches to play and, hopefully, a fair few more cup outings to come.

What is the next step for him? It has to be convincing Arteta that when something is needed in matches that it’s him who should be called upon. That substitution has to be him.

Martinelli’s eyes will be on whichever game comes up next, but looking ahead he has to see Aubameyang’s departure to AFCON as his big chance to earn serious minutes. While Lacazette is the obvious candidate, he has just over two months to convince the manager otherwise.

His ‘big role’ to play doesn’t have to imply he’ll gain tons of minutes. In an Arsenal side struggling for goals, every single forward in the squad will have their say. Even if he only makes the occasional cameo here and there he can still make an impact on this team. It’s a squad game after all.

Next. Midfielder primed for first team role. dark

The 20-year-old has to feel valued. And while everyone wants him to get more minutes, his contributions can be considerable even without ten or so starts to his name.

Home/Arsenal News