'Predictable' Arsenal star singled out for 'thinking too much' as fans call for more cruelty
Gabriel Martinelli must “find himself again” to help Arsenal end their 20-year Premier League title drought.
That is the vision of Internal bullies panel that discussed the Brazilian's current difficult situation in the latest episode of the talkSPORT program.
The winger recorded a career-best 15 goals and six assists as the Gunners chased city of manchester in search of the Premier League title in the 2022/23 season.
His exploits earned him a place in Brazil's World Cup squad, however Martinelli has since failed to emulate his form of two years ago, much to the frustration of the club's supporters.
With 22 appearances under his belt this season, the 23-year-old has scored just four goals and his form has also been sketchy.
This has seen voices of discontent echo through sections of the Emirates and some fans have grown tired of Martinelli's lack of efficiency in the final third.
And that's a view shared by the Inside Gooners panel made up of former Arsenal abroad Perry Grovesjournalist Art de Roché and podcaster Clive Palmer.
The trio pointed to a change in Martinelli's mentality and a preference for dribbling inside the side rather than attacking from the outside, which explains why he has become less effective.
“It's predictable,” Palmer said. “He thinks too much about his next action. I hope we meet him again, he is 23 years old, he does everything well.
“He's not stupid, he can hear the murmurs around him but he's a little hesitant. He is not a thinker, he is a fast athlete who relies on instinct and he is no longer that.”
The panel also questioned whether that missing instinct was a result of boss Mikel Arteta's tactics and whether it had been “drawn out of him”.
Saturday's goalless draw at home against Everton It showed that Arteta's team had lost the spark in front of goal.
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It was the fourth consecutive Premier League match in which the Gunners failed to score from open play.
Arsenal's faltering league campaign coupled with Martinelli's struggles were the topic of discussion for the Gunners legend Henry Thierry on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football.
The Frenchman admitted that his former club had become predictable unlike the league leaders Liverpool that they properly use all their attack weapons.
“They're very predictable,” Henry said. “It's extraordinary to score from set pieces. The last three goals in the league have come from set pieces.
“When you see Liverpool advance, you see (Joe) Gómez, (Darwin) Núñez, (Diogo) Jota running. But with (Bukayo) Saka you know he will play against (Martin) Odegaard.”
Henry then expressed his opinion on martinelli while analyzing a one-on-one situation with Diogo Dalot.
“You're not playing one-on-one,” he said of the Brazilian's decision-making.
Henry's broadcast colleague Jamie Carragher He added: “Martinelli has to offer more.
“I don't think he's necessarily a striker, but I think he's an attacking player. “For me, when you see this guy, Saka, on the right side and you see what he has on the left, it's like chalk and cheese.
“Now, Martinelli and Saka, a few years ago they were almost at a similar level, but Saka jumped to become one of the best players in European football in his position, but unfortunately Martinelli did not join them.
“I have always felt, the last two years and even this year, that the reason I have never gone to Arsenal is that I feel they are missing a world-class attacker. When I think about the other teams that Chelsea “Liverpool and City have it, I don't think they have that quality.”
Martinelli has been able to fend off competition for his starting spot against Raheem Sterling with relative ease.
The England international has played just 146 minutes of Premier League action since joining on loan from Chelsea this summer.
Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus have also been used on the left, but neither player has managed to completely oust Martinelli from the starting eleven.
But Martinelli could have a bigger challenge on his hands next month as Arteta looks to strengthen his squad ahead of the championship.
Arsenal are interested in joining West Ham for Ghanaian winger Mohammed Kudus.
The 24-year-old would provide much-needed ammunition and increased competition in the attacking areas.
