Arsenal: 3 solutions to striker problem for rest of season

2. Gabriel Martinelli at Centre-Forward

Drifting in and out of the side since Arteta came in, in the past few months, Gabriel Martinelli has gone from strength to strength. In many ways he is now the man tasked with being the primary source of goals in the team. Who’d have seen that coming but a few months ago?

His natural talent was clear since his first showings in the Europa League and Carabao Cup in that breakthrough season: the pace, physicality and drive make him the ideal player for any manager, especially one that demands focus and dedication from every single member of the squad.

While many fans clamored loudly for Martinelli’s introduction earlier during Arteta’s tenure, it must be said that the Spaniard has handled the youngster’s development extremely well. No longer an unrefined diamond-in-the-rough, Arteta has molded Martinelli into an exciting star that has added multiple layers to his game.

Still energetic and quick off the mark, the former Ituano man has added excellent close control and clinical finishes to his already advanced game.

Arteta has primarily used Martinelli out wide on the left. As Lacazette drops deep, the Brazilian makes incisive runs from out to in, driving into the box with the overwhelming desire to score.

His goals this season have helped make up for the lack of a more traditional free-scoring No. 9 and shows that he may be ready for a run up front. He possesses the movement necessary to get into good positions as well as the ability to finish off even the unlikeliest of chances. Equally, it prevents him from being double-marked in wide areas.

The last time Arteta deployed Martinelli as a striker was in the dismal performance against Brentford in the first game of the season, but manager and player alike have grown a great deal since then.

The current set up is one that offers added structure and security at the back while still allowing the more creative players to express themselves up the pitch. Should Arteta start who Klopp has dubbed the “talent of the century” up front, there is no doubt that Martinelli would be among the goals. Furthermore, it gets Smith Rowe back into the team.

Continued on next page…