Opposition analysts in the Premier League have a unique plan to deal with one Arsenal player – and it seems to be working.
The Gunners were the surprise package of last season after rising from fifth in the 2021/22 campaign to second in 2022/23 – earning 15 more points.
However – as a result of this – Mikel Arteta‘s deadliest threats have become better known to the rest of the Premier League, and one Arsenal star now appears to be a victim of his own success…
Gabriel Martinelli has been found out
Last season, it was Gabriel Martinelli who stole the show in attack – the Brazil international finished as Arsenal’s joint top scorer alongside Martin Odegaard with 15 goals in all competitions.
However, opponents seem to be wising up to the South American nowadays.
A story from Football London claims that some opposition analysts have noticed Martinelli can often be quite indecisive in the final third this season, and have consequently devised a plan to force him down the line, where he is deemed easier to defend against.
It seems to be working.
Martinelli – who blew Gabriel Jesus away in his first training session – has only scored eight goals in 42 appearances this season, and has consequently lost his place as a regular starter under Arteta, with the more prolific Leandro Trossard preferred.
Mikel Arteta must find a way to resurrect Arsenal No.11
In his defence, Martinelli is still just 22 years of age, and has set the bar incredibly high for himself since arriving in a £6m deal from Ituano to little fanfare in July 2019.
There is clearly a potentially world class footballer in the Brazilian, so Arteta must do all he can on the training pitch at London Colney to hand the Arsenal No.11 more strings to his bow.
For example, Bukayo Saka has become far more predictable after learning to nail the near-post shot with his right foot, which means opposition defenders are no longer sure whether to let him cut inside, or show him on his so-called weaker foot.
Now, it is time for Martinelli – who is a target for Barcelona – to discover a new dimension to his game, or else he may struggle to stay involved in Arsenal’s evolution under Arteta.