As a result of Arsenal’s recent defeat to Bournemouth, the Gunners are still fighting to secure second spot in the Premier League.
A point against Liverpool was much better than a defeat for Arsenal in terms of both momentum and the table itself, but Mikel Arteta’s side still have work to do.
Newcastle United will arrive at the Emirates Stadium next weekend full of confidence, knowing that a win will take them above Arsenal with just one game left to play.
| Position | Team | Played MP |
Won W |
Drawn D |
Lost L |
For GF |
Against GA |
Diff GD |
Points Pts |
| 1 |  |
36 | 25 | 8 | 3 | 83 | 37 | 46 | 83 |
| 2 |  |
36 | 18 | 14 | 4 | 66 | 33 | 33 | 68 |
| 3 |  |
36 | 20 | 6 | 10 | 68 | 45 | 23 | 66 |
| 4 |  |
36 | 19 | 8 | 9 | 67 | 43 | 24 | 65 |
| 5 |  |
36 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 62 | 43 | 19 | 63 |
| 6 |  |
36 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 56 | 49 | 7 | 63 |
| 7 |  |
36 | 18 | 8 | 10 | 56 | 44 | 12 | 62 |
Despite having been well clear of the likes of Newcastle, Manchester City and Chelsea in the past, Arsenal now have a job to do to ensure that they are the ‘best of the rest’.
And in a familiar tale for the Gunners, they will need to do so without a striker — or even their third and fourth-choice strikers to be more precise.
Mikel Merino saw red against Liverpool at Anfield and Leandro Trossard also appeared to injure his hamstring.
Gabriel Martinelli deserves his chance as Arsenal’s striker
As a result, Arsenal will welcome Newcastle to N5 needing to find yet another plan up top.
Arteta has appeared reluctant to use young Ethan Nwaneri recently, perhaps recognising that the 18-year-old has already played a lot of first team minutes this season.
However, Nwaneri might be needed out wide in order to play Gabriel Martinelli in a central position.
Even before Arsenal turned to Merino as their makeshift striker, there were calls for Martinelli to be tried as a number nine — something Arteta seemed reluctant to do.
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But in the face of even more unavailability, perhaps it is time to try the 23-year-old in a position he’s more accustomed to playing for Brazil.
Martinelli scored against Liverpool after drifting into a central area, and Arteta should give him a go from the start against Newcastle.
It will require a bit of a reshuffle — either Nwaneri will need to go out left or perhaps even Raheem Sterling will come in.
But Martinelli is the only viable option for Arteta centrally against such a physical Newcastle back line — it doesn’t seem like the ideal chance for Nwaneri as a false nine.
Andrea Berta is ready to replace Gabriel Martinelli
In truth, playing as a striker might give Martinelli the chance to prove himself further at Arsenal ahead of next season.
It’s well documented that Arsenal want to sign Nico Williams for their left wing if he decides to leave Athletic Club in the summer.
And more importantly, Andrea Berta wants to buy a striker at Arsenal too — competition will soon be increasing for Martinelli.
And this could be a prime time for the Brazilian to remind everyone in north London that he still has potential to fulfil.
It’s almost easy to forget at times that Martinelli is still so young, and given his goalscoring of late, this chance as a striker could come at tan opportune time.
