Norwich 0-5 Arsenal: Gabriel Martinelli the star not on the scoresheet

Arsenal faithfuls around the globe were given another present after Christmas with a 5-0 boxing day victory against Norwich City in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta was rocked by the news of there being four positive Covid tests in his squad, all of which affected right-backs. That meant Benjamin White shifted out, but that was where any concerns were left.

A dominant and clinical performance followed to spread the Boxing Day cheer around with five goals, another clean sheet and a much-improved goal difference ensuring the festive joy continued.

While most of the attention will be drawn to players like Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe or Martin Ødegaard, I was immediately impressed with Gabriel Martinelli at Carrow Road.

Gabriel Martinelli was the hidden star for Arsenal as they secured a thumping 5-0 Premier League win over Norwich on Boxing Day

During the course of the match, the Brazilian winger was everywhere on the pitch and whether he was attacking or defending was irrelevant, he was exceptional in both aspects of the game.

This was especially true in regards to the second goal of the contest, where Martinelli bullied his opponent of the ball and started the counter-attack that led to a cool Kieran Tierney finish: the key word being ‘bullied’. Martinelli is a lot stronger physically than he looks, and uses his body effectively at both ends of the pitch. He is a fierce competitor.

A wiry and energetic forward, you can’t overlook the passion that this young man plays with. Never taking a minute’s rest, Martinelli was running circles around a Norwich team that simply didn’t want it as bad as him.

While I thought he could have made better decisions in front of goal, I still thought he played exceptionally well.

Although Saka or Odegaard will most likely be seen as the man of the match, there is no denying that Martinelli should be in that running. He demonstrated outstanding work rate off the ball.

Someone who has patiently been waiting for his turn is finally getting his name called and has not disappointed. I am looking for Martinelli to cement himself further in this Arsenal squad and blossom into the star we all know he is becoming. My wish is sure to come true.

Whether he is in the starting XI for the fixture against Wolverhampton Wanders will be up to Arteta and his staff, but whether Martinelli will be ready or not is not up for debate. Only rotation will keep him out.

An unsung hero on Boxing Day, he had one of the biggest impacts on the game without actually scoring or assisting on a goal. This may have been a goalless display but it was anything but ineffective.