Arsenal 2-0 West Ham: 5 talking points as Gunners go fourth

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LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 15: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on December 15, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images) /

2. Magnificent Martinelli Keeps Improving

What a difference three weeks makes. Shunted to the side for the majority of the season, Gabriel Martinelli has come back breathing fire. It was hard to see where his minutes would come from. Now it’s hard to see him being anywhere other than the staring lineup.

His energy, willingness to close down, and appetite for the physical side of football are a joy to watch.

The goal against the Hammers was eerily similar to a certain Frenchman that terrorized Premier League defenses all those years ago. His first touch was sensational before he opened up his body and calmly slot it past Fabianski into the far post. Even though everyone knew what he was going to do, the execution was such that the Polish keeper had no chance.

Overall, in his last five games he now has two goals and two assists and is staking his claim for a permanent starting berth.

On his current form, Martinelli is undroppable as every time the ball is at his feet, it feels like something is going to happen. It is exciting to see yet another young player prove themselves on the biggest stage. For Martinelli, like Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, the world is his oyster.

Man of the Match.

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