Is Gabriel Martinelli's Arsenal spot up for grabs?

Gabriel Martinelli is struggling for form, but could the Brazilian see his spot in the starting XI be taken by someone else?

Just a couple of seasons ago, Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli seemingly had the world at his feet after several scintillating displays had fans thinking that the Gunners had a world-class talent on their hands.

Now, is Martinelli world-class? No. Is he a very good player? Absolutely, but form has been hard to come by for the 23-year-old this season, having only scored four goals and registering three assists in 12 games in all competitions.

Now, that isn't a bad return for most, but in Martinelli's case, the standard he set for himself coupled with what Bukayo Saka is doing on the other flank means he has to step up his game.

Having been an unused substitute in Arsenal's last two league games, Martinelli found the back of the next against Sporting CP in a 5-1 win midweek, which paved the way for Mikel Arteta to restore him to the starting XI against Manchester United...but again, Gabby didn't put his best foot forward.

As such, Sean Walsh of Goal.com, named Martinelli as one "loser" from the clash against United, and even went as far to say that his spot in the team is now under threat.

“You never want to write off young players, and a spirit as likeable as Gabriel Martinelli is one worth rooting for, but there is mounting evidence he might never reach his 2022-23 levels again in this Arsenal team,” Walsh writes. “There are only a couple of areas in which Arsenal could realistically upgrade their starting XI, and as the weeks go on, it feels like Martinelli's spot is up for grabs.”

With Leandro Trossard the one who Martinelli is battling with for minutes, there is a case to be made that Gabby should be picked ahead of Leo, but with the Gunners still in every competition this season, Arteta likes to rotate his squad.

But when it comes to "big" games, is Martinelli still capable to reproduce his efforts from 2022/23 that saw score 15 Premier League goals and grabbed five assists? Right now, we have to say no.

That's not saying he can't but there can be no denying that Martinelli's grip on his spot in the starting XI has loosened considerably.

While we might not get a big indication of Arteta's summer plans, if Martinelli can't push his form arrow upward, then maybe Walsh is right. Gabby's spot in the Arsenal team will be under threat from more than just Trossard, with Raheem Sterling and even Ethan Nwaneri waiting in the wings.

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