Few people are excited about the early international break, but Gabriel Martinelli believes it could be beneficial.
Martinelli has had a rough start to the season, and his place in the Arsenal team is threatened by the addition of Eberechi Eze.
Noni Madueke’s arrival has also given competition, and with Leandro Trossard staying, Mikel Arteta may have more depth on the left wing than any other position.
Martinelli will be well aware of this, and his confidence will have been reinforced by his starting role for Brazil in their 3-0 victory over Chile last week.
The winger will be anxious to regain his form ahead of the World Cup next summer.
Standard Sport investigates how this could happen.
A position change
As previously said, Arteta has unrivaled depth on the left wing.
The Arsenal boss has four full internationals to choose from, which is why Martinelli could be better off being utilized elsewhere.
One of those was at Anfield in May, when Arteta changed Martinelli’s position to central striker at halftime.
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The 24-year-old has previous experience in the position, having been assigned to it by Unai Emery while he was manager of Arsenal. A move through the middle could jolt him to life.
Arsenal are also short on options in that area because Kai Havertz is out with an injury, and Martinelli’s pace in behind might make him a valuable weapon there, especially if Arteta wants his squad to be more direct coming season.
Change the players surrounding him
Arsenal’s left wing has been a concern for the past two seasons, and some argue that Martinelli is a symptom, not the reason.
During the 2022-23 season, when Martinelli was Arsenal’s leading scorer, the left side performed admirably and was a valuable weapon for Arteta.
But the left half has subsequently been demolished. Granit Xhaka and Oleksandr Zinchenko have left the club, and Gabriel Jesus is injured.
Perhaps the most significant loss for Martinelli was Jesus, as the two had a wonderful understanding. Jesus would frequently drift left, providing room for Martinelli to cut inside and exploit.
This personnel shift could benefit Martinelli, as well as other players on Arsenal’s left side.
Declan Rice has flourished as a No. 8, but it’s possible that pairing Eze with Martinelli in some games helps the Brazilian.
Boost his confidence and stand by him.
In his final pre-match press conference before the summer transfer window closed, Arteta was asked about Martinelli’s potential departure, and he gave a straightforward answer.
“I think Gabi has been a super important player for us and he’s going to remain very, very, very important,” according to him.
“He’s required, especially on the front lines, to start and complete the game. So I am really pleased with what we have.”
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