What is Arteta to do with Martinelli, Nketiah and Balogun?

Lost in the “forward” shuffle again this season are Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah. Folarin Balogun will soon join the list.

When a manager has a talented group of players such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Nicolas Pepe available, what do you do with your future striking force? Do you send them out on loan, do you use them in league games as subs, are they cup players only, or do you allow them to leave for greener pastures? This is the dilemma Arteta faces with this trio of wunderkinds.

Let’s look at their bios:

Gabriel Martinelli – 20 years old – Has been with Arsenal since 2019 –  Has made 51 appearances and scored 12 goals – Contract runs through 2023/2024 season.

Eddie Nketiah – 22 years old – Has been with Arsenal since 2017/2018 season – Has made 29 appearances with club and scored 6 goals – Was loaned to Leeds United in 2019/2020 where he made 19 appearances and scored 5 goals – Contract expires at the end of this season.

Folarin Balogun – 20 years old – Has been with Arsenal since 2018/2019 season – Has made 2 appearances for the goal and is yet to score a goal – Has a long term contract with Arsenal.

So far this season, Martinelli started the Brentford and Chelsea games, while Balogun started the Brentford match. Nketiah is yet to see the pitch for Arsenal, but has been dealing with an injury.

Here’s what I would do.

Gabriel Martinelli deserves the chance for regular football. I would put him in a regular rotation with the Aubameyangs and the Lacazettes. Give him a opportunity to see some regular pitch time so he can find his legs. Otherwise, the young man will grow impatient and look to leave, and that would be a real shame.

Eddie Nketiah – I think it’s time for Eddie to move on. Like Martinelli, he needs regular football. Crystal Palace really wanted Eddie during the transfer window, so maybe another opportunity will open in January. He’s a talented player, but needs to move on, plus his contract expires in June, so Arsenal should move him or loss any chance for a transfer fee.

Folarin Balogun – I don’t think he’s quite ready for this level of football. A loan move to a Championship side would be his best opportunity to play regularly, and to grow as a footballer. Look what that loan move did for Emile Smith Rowe at Huddersfield Town.

Yes, there are only eleven positions on the pitch at any given time, and yes, the manager needs to field his best team. However, if Arsenal are truly in a youth movement mode, then it’s time to further develop their other young guns, the guys who will hopefully bring goals for the club in the years ahead.

Cheers.

Gunner1953