Pain in the Arsenal
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4 ways Arsenal can mitigate Gabriel Jesus’ potential prolonged absence

By James Cormack

Arsenal's English striker Eddie Nketiah celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Everton at the Emirates Stadium in London on May 22, 2022. - - 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 Daniel LEAL / 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 DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's English striker Eddie Nketiah celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Everton at the Emirates Stadium in London on May 22, 2022. - - 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 Daniel LEAL / 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 DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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3. Play Gabriel Martinelli through the middle

Gabriel Martinelli has enjoyed a brilliant season thus far. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Gabriel Martinelli has enjoyed a brilliant season thus far. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /

Martinelli joined Arsenal as an unproven young forward back in 2018, but he’s forging his career out wide and Arteta will be reluctant to play him through the middle.

But, this is certainly a possibility if Nketiah struggles and Smith Rowe’s injury means it takes him a while to reintegrate in the new year.

Martinelli is developing into a ruthless finisher of both feet, while his incessant running means he’ll be able to match Jesus’ output without the ball. He’ll be able to rotate out wide where he can isolate defenders one-vs-one, and run off the last defender in more central areas.

However, there’s no denying that Martinelli’s threat and overall influence will diminish should he line up centrally. Defenders will find it easier to contain Arsenal’s Duracell bunny, and the Gunners will be less proficient down the flanks.

Continued on the next slide…

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