Arsenal playing Martinelli as striker in training means little

Arsenal have plenty of time to rest and recuperate before they are next in action with nine days separating their matches between Wolves and Brentford.

Having some enjoyable days to bask in their Molineux victory, as well as soak up the schadenfreude of all three of their closest top four rivals dropping points, everyone will now be itching for their turn on the turf.

This time away from playing also hands Mikel Arteta the chance to work with finer detail on certain elements in training – like playing with ten men, which is now probably about 60% of every session – which was one of the significant benefits of not being involved in Europe this season.

Given the squad has been streamlined over the winter window there is less room for maneuverability simply down to the volume of personnel, although one positional swap many are calling for is the reintroduction of Gabriel Martinelli in the centre-forward position.

Arsenal playing Gabriel Martinelli as a striker in training doesn’t indicate a sudden change for Alexandre Lacazette – it’s no big surprise

Reports have emerged stating that the Brazilian has been fielded as a No. 9 in recent training sessions, hinting towards some level of involvement in the position between now and the end of the season.

While there will certainly be occasions where Martinelli is moved centrally to add a different dynamic to Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah, as well as to account for possible injuries, it’s highly unlikely he’ll be taking Lacazette’s place any time soon. Arteta recently made the Frenchman permanent captain and his integral role in everything Arsenal do, apart from scoring himself, will see him lead the line whenever he can.

Besides, Martinelli playing centre-forward in training is hardly surprising given, well…that there are only two strikers in the entire squad. It would more of a surprise if he didn’t. Little changes in training like that happen all the time and it wouldn’t even out of the ordinary if Gabriel Magalhaes got the nod at No. 9 on a few occasions, given he’s usually asked to stay forward when Arsenal are chasing a late goal.

The thought of Martinelli playing up front is an exciting prospect. He’s got raw pace, isn’t afraid to shoot unless it’s a 0.7 xG shot, like some others, and him slotting in there also ensures Emile Smith Rowe can come back into the side.

Talk of Martinelli getting the nod up top in training may hint at a change, but it’s also something he’s been doing for months on end now. The likelihood is that he’s there on account of the dearth of options across the squad, so while he will get his chance at some stage, a straight swap doesn’t appear on the cards any time soon.