By all accounts, Gabriel Martinelli is being lined up to play as Arsenal’s striker in their crunch tie with Newcastle United on Sunday.
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle side will arrive at the Emirates knowing that a win will propel them above Arsenal in the race for second — something Mikel Arteta will be keen to avoid.
Arsenal have fallen well short of Liverpool in the title-race, and forfeiting second place in the final weeks of the season would be another blow.
| Position | Team | Played MP |
Won W |
Drawn D |
Lost L |
For GF |
Against GA |
Diff GD |
Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool |
36 | 25 | 8 | 3 | 83 | 37 | 46 | 83 |
| 2 |  ArsenalArsenal |
36 | 18 | 14 | 4 | 66 | 33 | 33 | 68 |
| 3 |  NewcastleNewcastle |
36 | 20 | 6 | 10 | 68 | 45 | 23 | 66 |
Of course, Martinelli could be needed as Arsenal’s number nine on Sunday owing to the ongoing striker crisis in north London.
Leandro Trossard has now joined Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus in the treatment room and Mikel Merino will be suspended against his old club.
And in truth, this opportunity might be arriving at the perfect time for Martinelli.
Mikel Arteta makes his Gabriel Martinelli decision
In the summer, Andrea Berta wants to sign a new right-footed left winger at Arsenal, a position he’s earmarked for an upgrade.
Arsenal have spoken to Nico Williams and there’s genuine belief that either one of Martinelli or Trossard might be moved on were the club successful in signing someone like Williams or Jamie Gittens.
However, Mail Sport are now reporting that Martinelli remains part of Arteta’s plans moving forward — suggesting that a sale is not on the cards.
The report states that Martinelli is ‘well-regarded’ by Arteta, a 23-year-old who joined the club from lowly Brazilian side Ituano in 2019.
Martinelli has shown a ton of promise at Arsenal at times, however, his progress has stagnated over the last 12 months or so.
But the Brazilian’s ‘electric pace’ is appreciated by his manager and fellow teammates at Arsenal, a real asset in a frontline that occasionally lacks raw speed.
Although, it is recognised that Martinelli is a player who relies on confidence, perhaps explaining some of his leaner periods over the past season or so.
Martinelli has unfinished business at Arsenal
Either way, it should be seen as a real positive that Arteta is sticking by Martinelli.
Amid rumours of a potential exit, it’s thought that the Saudi Pro League might be an option — few others would be able to afford any fee that Arsenal would demand.
But to say that Martinelli has unfinished business at the Emirates is something of an understatement — he’s only just getting started.
Thomas Partey has raved about Martinelli recently, claiming that he’s actually more difficult to play against than Bukayo Saka.
In fact, Bournemouth changed their team because of Martinelli and he’s clearly someone that Arsenal shouldn’t be looking to lose.
And if Arsenal can tempt Williams to England, it should be to partner Martinelli rather than to replace him.
