Arsenal: 5 players who are on the Christmas nice list

Arsenal's English defender Calum Chambers (C) celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English League Cup round of 16 football match between Arsenal and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 26, 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 5

LEEDS, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 18: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal speaks to the media following the Premier League match between Leeds United and Arsenal at Elland Road on December 18, 2021 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images) /

4. Gabriel Martinelli

Gabriel Martinelli went from being the best thing since sliced bread to injured, and then left to feed off scraps. That setback rocked him and after the breakthrough campaign he had, to then be hovering on the peripheries must have been tough.

Arteta clearly had a plan in mind for him, but even the most patient of young players will start to get upset over the lack of minutes.

We never heard a word from Martinelli. Not one unnecessary groan or gripe. If he came on for five minutes at the end of a match he’d be grateful he got any minutes at all. He had to bide his time, wait for the opportunity, and take.

Boy, has he taken it or what?

With an Aubameyang shaped cloud hanging over the club, there hasn’t been a peep about his absence from the team for one reason: Martinelli. He has silenced the narrative and written his own. He’s doing Aubameyang things on the pitch better than Aubameyang.

And all the way he’s been nothing but humble, with a smile across his face.

Continued on next page…

Home/Arsenal News