Gabriel Martinelli must ‘find himself again’ in order to help Arsenal end their 20-year Premier League title drought.
That’s the view of the Inside Gooners panel who discussed the Brazilian’s current plight in the latest episode of the talkSPORT show.
The winger posted a career best 15 goals and six assists as the Gunners chased down Manchester City in pursuit of the Premier League title in the 2022/23 season.
His exploits earned him a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad, however Martinelli has since been unable to emulate his form of two years ago, to the frustration of the club’s supporters.
With 22 appearances under his belt this term, the 23-year-old has netted just four times while his form has also been sketchy.
That has seen voices of discontent reverberate from sections of the Emirates with some fans growing tired of Martinelli’s lack of efficiency in the final third.
And that is a view shared by the Inside Gooners panel made up of former Arsenal winger Perry Groves, journalist Art de Roché and podcaster Clive Palmer.
The trio pointed to a switch in Martinelli’s mindset and a preference to dribble inside of the full-back rather than attack on the outside as as to why he has become less effective.
“He’s predictable,” Palmer said. “He thinks about his next action too much. I hope we find him again, he’s 23, he does all the things right.
“He’s not stupid, he can hear the murmurings around him but he’s a little bit indecisive. He’s not a thinker, he’s a fast athlete who relies on instinct and he’s stopped being instinctive.”
The panel also questioned whether that missing instinct was a result of boss Mikel Arteta’s tactics and whether it had been ‘coached out of them.’
Saturday’s goalless draw at home to Everton laid proof to any claims that Arteta’s side had lost their spark in front of goal.
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It signalled the fourth Premier League game in a row that the Gunners had failed to score from open play.
Arsenal’s stuttering league campaign coupled with Martinelli’s difficulties were the topic of discussion for Gunners’ legend Thierry Henry on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.
The Frenchman conceded that his former club had become predictable unlike league leaders Liverpool who adequately utilise all of their attacking weapons.
“They’re very predictable,” Henry said. “It is outstanding to score from set-pieces. The last three goals in the league are from set-pieces.
“When you see Liverpool going forward you see [Joe] Gomez, [Darwin] Nunez, [Diogo] Jota running. But with [Bukayo] Saka you know he’s going to play to [Martin] Odegaard.”
Henry then had his say on Martinelli while analysing a one-vs-one situation with Diogo Dalot.
“You’re not playing your one-vs-one,” he said of the Brazilian’s decision making.
Henry’s broadcast colleague Jamie Carragher added: “Martinelli has to offer more.
“I don’t think it’s necessarily a striker but I think it’s an attacking player. For me, when you see this lad, Saka, on the right side and you see what they have on the left, it’s like chalk and cheese.
“Now, Martinelli and Saka, a few years ago were almost at a similar level but Saka has jumped up to be one of the best players in European football in his position but Martinelli unfortunately hasn’t joined them.
“I’ve always felt, last two years and even this year, the reason I’ve never gone for Arsenal is I feel they’re a world class attacker short. When I think of the other teams that Chelsea have, that Liverpool have, that City have, I don’t think they’ve got that quality.”
Martinelli has been able to fend off the competition for his starting spot from Raheem Sterling with relative ease.
The England international has played just 146 minutes of Premier League action since arriving form Chelsea on loan this summer.
Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus have also been used on the left – but both players have failed to fully oust Martinelli from the starting XI.
But Martinelli could have a bigger challenge on his hands next month as Arteta looks to bolster his squad ahead of the title run-in
Arsenal are interested in adding raiding West Ham for Ghanaian winger Mohammed Kudus.
The 24-year-old would provide much need ammunition and further competition in attacking areas.