After a six-game run without a goal at the start of the year, Gabriel Martinelli has found real consistency in front of goal in recent weeks.
His quick feet and a toe-poked finish at Anfield took his tally to seven goals in nine games and his overall total for the season to 14. Nobody in Arsenal colours has scored more.
What’s more, having been in and out of the side last season, the Brazil international has featured in every Premier League game this season. His progress has been enthralling to watch and there’s a sense he could get even better.
Facing the media ahead of Arsenal’s trip to West Ham, manager Mikel Arteta was asked how the 21-year-old became so important to the Gunners’ title charge.
“He’s playing more games, that’s for sure. He’s got another year of experience, he’s got a huge understanding now with his teammates,” was the Spaniard’s assessment.
“The way he approaches every single session, the way he approaches his training, his life – he just has to be the best.
“When that happens, and you have the consistency that he has in how he deals with every situation in every day, only good outcomes are going to be in front of him. I’m not surprised about that, and he still has a lot of things to improve on.”
The only player in the Arsenal squad to make more league starts than Martinelli is goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. After last week’s man-of-the-match performance on Merseyside, the stopper was also the subject of much-deserved praise.
“You need individuals to perform at the highest level and certainly, you need your keeper to be impressive in certain moments,” said Arteta.
“You see every team who has won titles, their goalkeeper is just a key contributor to that, and Aaron has been really, really good this season.”
While Manchester City could slip up against Leicester on Saturday night, the smart money is on them easing to a victory that will further reduce Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table to three points.
When the Gunners arrive at the London Stadium on Sunday, there will be no room for a slip up.
“It will be a very difficult game. We know, we’ve been there a few times and we always find really tricky and difficult games,” said Arteta.
“I know [West Ham manager] David [Moyes] really well and how he’s going to prepare for the game as well, and we are ready.
“It’s going to be a fight; it’s going to be another big derby for us and we’re going to be at our best to win it.”
“And he still has a lot of things to improve on,” Arteta says about Martinelli. Now, that should worry EPL managers.
Hopefully west ham will be ‘tired’ after their recent trip to Belgium hehehe
And Leicester, do them a NMB (new manager bounce) and play in a 6-3-1. A draw will be enough!
Vardy leaves a leg dangling as he charges into the box past Rodri, gets the penalty call and the enraged Rodri pushes the ref. One-nil to the Foxes (okay, you’re right, I’ll settle for a draw) and a red card for Rodri.
I cannot stand Rodri!
We have an amazing crop of players and it is almost impossible to tell who has the highest ceiling but I have always looked at Martinelli as a player who could someday win the Ballon d’Or.
It is beyond mind boggling that Brazilian managers don’t seem to rate him. Maybe it has to do with his price tag?
I don’t know about “Brazilian managers don’t seem to rate him.”
He was in Brazil’s Tokyo Olympic team and the World Cup team too. Besides, he is only 21, so his Best years are still ahead of him. He is equally unlucky to have someone like Vinicius Jr. – merely a year older – playing so well, so the only space in the team is for the backup.
I still remember that he only went to the Olympics as a last minute call up to replace some injured player.
I know vini is highly rated but I think Martinelli brings more directness and end product overall.
Like you said, he is young and his best days are ahead but… anyways