Arsenal: 3 reasons Gabriel Martinelli could start vs Man United

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LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 27: Gabriel Martinelli celebrates with teammates Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal after scoring their team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on November 27, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

2. Interchangeability

In the discussion of which is Martinelli’s best position across the forward line, of the three options he’s arguably weakest on the right.

Some don’t see him as a centre-forward, or at least prefer his skillset coming off the left, but in the case of Saka being unavailable it’s the right where he will be lined up.

What Martinelli does bring to the team is the possibility of interchangeability. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is almost certain to start at centre-forward, and having someone who he can swap with in wide areas – Saka and Pepe can’t play at striker – offers more tactical flexibility in how Arsenal attack United.

These alterations can be made in-game in a bid to further disrupt a fragile United team, one who could be even more crestfallen depending on the outcome of their trip to Stamford Bridge.

Seeing how predictable Arsenal were in the opening exchanges against Newcastle, having someone who can swap flanks or go through the middle just to inject some variation into the play provides a different option to Arteta depending on how proceedings pan out.

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