Where’s Martinelli? Arteta’s common sense approach

Gabriel Martinelli is still a Gunner, yet it might be hard to believe that these days since the 19-year-old has been kept off the pitch by manager Mikel Arteta.

Following a serious knee injury picked up in June, Martinelli made a very strong comeback in late December. But then a few weeks later, the Brazilian injured an ankle forcing him to the medical room once again.

Now that Gabriel is healthy again, the manager is being very cautious in how he handles the forward’s playing time. It was most apparent last Sunday when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was substituted into the Leicester City game in the final minutes. Martinelli was on the bench, but never saw the pitch.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright backed Arteta’s handling of the youngster with this comment on his recent Wrighty’s House Podcast, “‘People are very much like, ‘where’s Martinelli? But Martinelli has had a serious injury, he’s coming back and with Willian playing better, with Pepe playing better, with Auba nicking his goals now – he can introduce him slowly. Please be more patient, Arsenal fans, because this is our future, Gabriel Martinelli is our future. Yes, he’s fit but we don’t want to be blasting him in just in case he could break down.”

Arteta has also stated the forward needs to “keep working and make it difficult for him to be left out.”

Before his knee injury in June, Martinelli had racked up 10 goals in 26 matches. His form was amazing and his skill level was raising eyebrows across Europe. So, we were all anxious to see him playing again.

I, too have wondered, “Where is Martinelli?” But with some common sense thinking, reviewing his recent injuries, and looking towards this club’s future, I understand Arteta’s reluctance to force him back onto the pitch.

Cheers.

Gunner1953