When Gabriel Martinelli first emerged as a bright talent at Arsenal, his goal-scoring prowess was impossible to ignore. His sharp finishing and natural ability to be in the right place at the right time led many Premier League fans and pundits to believe that Martinelli was destined to evolve into a world-class striker. His early performances suggested that with time and development, he could become a lethal center-forward capable of leading Arsenal’s attack. However, as the Brazilian’s career has progressed, he has predominantly been deployed as a winger, where his performances have fluctuated. This has sparked debate about whether Mikel Arteta should reconsider Martinelli’s position and perhaps give him a chance to lead the line as Arsenal’s central striker, particularly in high-profile matches like the upcoming North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, is currently grappling with a difficult selection dilemma ahead of the crucial clash with Spurs. Injuries to key players have left the squad in a delicate situation. Declan Rice and Mikel Merino, two vital options for the left-central midfield (LCM) role, are unavailable for selection, leaving a significant gap in Arsenal’s midfield. Arteta is likely to turn to Kai Havertz, who, despite a somewhat mixed start to his Arsenal career, has shown good form recently and possesses the physicality needed to compete in such a high-stakes game. Havertz’s inclusion would help to fill the LCM void, but it leaves an important question unanswered: Who will lead Arsenal’s attack?
Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal’s first-choice center-forward, remains doubtful due to injury, and while he could potentially feature, he may not be fit enough to start. This creates an opportunity for Arteta to experiment with his attacking options. Despite several viable choices, it is somewhat surprising that Martinelli, who has often been viewed as a versatile forward, has not been more seriously considered for the striker role. Though he dons the No. 11 shirt, traditionally assigned to wingers, Martinelli’s early promise as a goal-scorer could make him a worthy candidate to step into the center-forward position, particularly with Jesus sidelined.
Several factors might explain why Martinelli’s performances on the left wing have not reached the heights many expected. One of the key issues could be the instability in the personnel surrounding him on the left side of the pitch. Frequent changes in the midfield and full-back positions have likely disrupted the chemistry and fluidity of Martinelli’s play. Another possible reason lies in Arteta’s tactical instructions. It appears that Martinelli has been asked to stay wider, stretching the opposition’s defense rather than cutting inside to take up goal-scoring positions. This shift in his role has arguably limited his chances to contribute directly in front of goal, reducing his overall goal tally.
Former Premier League striker Troy Deeney has offered his own critique of Martinelli, suggesting that the young Brazilian may be too focused on scoring and not creating enough opportunities for his teammates. While this could be seen as a drawback, there is also an argument to be made that this single-minded hunger for goals might be exactly what Arsenal needs. Rather than stifling this instinct, perhaps Arsenal should embrace it by positioning Martinelli as the central striker. His blistering pace and clinical finishing could pose a significant threat to Tottenham’s defense, which is now being orchestrated by manager Ange Postecoglou. By playing as a No. 9 in such an important fixture, Martinelli could not only exploit Spurs’ defensive vulnerabilities but also gain a much-needed confidence boost, which could reignite his goal-scoring form for the remainder of the season.
The prospect of an Arsenal front three comprising Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka is undeniably enticing. This attacking trio, with their blend of creativity, speed, and precision, has the potential to wreak havoc on Tottenham’s defense, especially in a match of this magnitude. With Trossard’s intelligent movement and Saka’s ability to stretch play, Martinelli would likely find himself in prime positions to finish off chances in the central areas. Given the stakes of the North London Derby and the momentum that could come from such a performance, it seems like the perfect stage for Martinelli to prove that he can excel as a central striker.
The big question, however, is whether Mikel Arteta will be bold enough to make this tactical switch. Martinelli’s ability to lead the line is still untested at the highest level, but there is no doubt that the talent is there. Should Arteta take this calculated risk, it could be the beginning of a new chapter for Martinelli at Arsenal. Do you think Martinelli deserves this opportunity to play as Arsenal’s No. 9 in such an important fixture, or should Arteta stick with more conventional options? Either way, the upcoming North London Derby will be a decisive moment for both Arsenal and their attacking options.