Arsenal hero, Ian Wright said the Gunners need to get the ball quicker to Gabriel Martinelli following the Brazilian’s slow start to the season.
In 18 Premier League games this season, Martinelli, 22, has only managed two goals and two assists. His most recent blank came on New Year’s Eve when Arsenal lost 2-1 to Fulham. As a result, Mikel Arteta’s team are now fourth in the Premier League standings.
If Jurgen Klopp’s team defeat Newcastle United, who have lost four of their past five Premier League games on New Year’s Day, Arsenal will fall five points behind leaders Liverpool.
Wright thinks that in order to compete with Liverpool, the Gunners must get the most out of Martinelli.
With 15 goals and five assists in the Premier League last season, Martinelli was among Arsenal’s best players. Wright claims he would love to see Martinelli find his best again in order to spark his team’s flagging title campaign after 20 years.
Wright feels that Arsenal are too reliant on Bukayo Saka, who scored against Fulham. Martinelli plays on the left, and Saka is on the right flank.
What Did Wright Say About Martinelli?
“You look at our build-up play, and it’s very Saka-orientated,” Wright told the Wrighty’s House podcast, The Mirror cited.
“(Martin) Odegaard – Saka, Odegaard – Saka. And when you look at Martinelli, especially earlier on when he was doing what he was doing. He was torching people.
“I would love to see at some stage Mikel find the same kind of service to him as quickly as they possibly can because he is somebody that wants to go past on the outside or on the inside.”
Wright, who was speaking before the Fulham defeat, added: “If Martinelli gets the ball and there’s two behind, Martinelli, we know that he will try to take them on.
See Also: Merson Advises Arsenal To Go All Out For Striker In January
“But on the main, he will come back and pass it back. I hate to see Martinelli going back the other way because the ball has not got there quick enough.
“Those are the things that I am thinking we have to be quicker in getting the ball to him.”
COMMENTS