Arsenal’s Smith Rowe & Martinelli decision gets tougher

Across the final ten matches of the Premier League season there won’t be a great deal of decision-making on team selections. It’s near enough nailed on every week who will start for Arsenal.

With the exception of Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe, that is.

There is a conundrum for Mikel Arteta, arguably the best one he’ll ever have to contemplate: who should start on the left wing?

Preparing to face Crystal Palace on Monday as part one of the remaining cup finals of the campaign, the same decision will be posed to him again. If the question had been asked a year or so ago, the choice would have come down to a straight shootout between the goalscorer and the creator. Now, it’s not as black and white as that.

Mikel Arteta’s decision on whether to start Emile Smith Rowe or Gabriel Martinelli for Arsenal grows harder with both developing new skills

Smith Rowe has a delightful skillset. He’s a connective piece with additional strings to his bow. Someone who likes to come towards the ball and build combinations can also burst in behind, presenting the opposition with all manner of defensive options running through their head. Stick or twist, press or drop off? It’s exceedingly tough to defend against.

What he needed to add to his game was goal threat. That’s precisely what he’s done: bundles of high quality shots, and goals. This side of his game was what Mikel Arteta wanted him to develop and he’s taken huge strides for Arsenal this season. In effect, he’s adding layers of Martinelli traits to his game.

Because taking shots, being a menace in and around the box and constantly threatening the opposition goal was what would have been defined as Martinelli’s core attributes. Yet, as the campaign as progressed, he’s developing other skills that weren’t in his locker 12-18 months ago.

Now we’re seeing the polishing of his dribbling ability, beating full-backs and bursting beyond his man with greater technical security unlike the direct chaos he used to bring to the party.

While they’re both still different players with differing USPs, they’re becoming more well-rounded as forwards, something that could be the byproduct of there being such fierce, yet friendly, competition between the two for a starting berth.

Watching the pair evolve as individuals and bring those qualities into the fold collectively is one of the most satisfying aspects to have as a supporter. These two players are expanding their repertoires, and with each passing week the decision resting on Arteta’s shoulders increases in its difficulty.

It’s the healthiest competition a manager could ask for. While now the team needs Alexandre Lacazette as the central axis to bind all other parts together, the time will come (it’s already coming) where it is no longer an acceptable outcome to have one starting over the other and both will be demanded to have on the pitch.

For now, however, the progress being made extends joyfully with each match they play.