Gabriel Martinelli’s faltering form is casting a shadow over his future at Arsenal. Despite the team’s streak of four wins and a total of 13 goals, Martinelli has managed only four goals in his last 24 appearances and hasn’t contributed in his last ten games.
Not starting a Premier League match since early March, his drop in performance is very noticeable, especially following a season where he netted 15 goals.
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Mikel Arteta faces a tough decision with Martinelli. As the summer transfer window looms, securing a new striker and a backup for Bukayo Saka is becoming a pressing priority for Arsenal. While Leandro Trossard shows potential on the left wing, the need for a consistent goalscorer is glaring as Arsenal risks falling short of the Premier League title yet again.
Bukayo Saka, with 16 goals, ties as the league’s seventh-highest scorer, highlighting the lack of a leading striker. Together, Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have only scraped together nine goals this season, a disappointing total that has contributed to the team’s overall shortfall.
🥁 Introducing our Player of the Month for February…
😍 Bukayo Saka!
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 5, 2024
Is Arteta setting his sights on top talents like Viktor Gyokeres, and Alexander Isak, currently the league’s second-highest scorer? Despite Martinelli’s evident potential and his role as an inverted left winger, Arteta has proven he’s not afraid to make hard choices for the good of the team— remember his decision to bench goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale last season?
Martinelli will get his chances to bounce back, but with Arteta’s determination to bolster Arsenal’s title aspirations, the young forward must step up or risk being left out of the team’s strategic framework. Will Martinelli rise to the occasion, or will he be another talent sidelined in the ruthless world of Premier League football?
Remembering Zagallo
Sambafoot Series launched a new documentary about the football legend Zagallo. Known as ‘Velho Lobo‘ and as superstitious as it gets, Zagallo helped shape what Brazilian football is nowadays — as a player and as a coach.
Binge the first four episodes available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel. Stay tuned for upcoming releases as we keep telling this legend’s life story.
