Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has held his hands up to say that forward Gabriel Martinelli has deserved to play more often than he has in recent weeks.
The 19-year-old has made just four appearances since the New Year, and when asked about the player’s lack of game time, Arteta admitted that the Brazilian wasn’t being fairly treated:
“If anything it’s my fault. He’s done everything perfectly, he trains incredibly well every day, and his attitude couldn’t be better. He’s really disappointed that he’s not playing more obviously, and I have spoken to him, but he needs to be a little bit patient.”
With the Gunners 3-1 up going into the second leg of their Europa League tie against Olympiakos this evening, many fans on Twitter have been calling on Arteta to start Martinelli:
He needs to start against Olympiacos perfect game for him and rest Saka
— #FreeMARTINELLI (@dark_doodz) March 17, 2021
So back this up by playing him on Thursday
— RT (@rxckyt) March 17, 2021
Hopefully this means he’s going to get more game time from now on.Can’t blame himself because the competition for the CF spot is hard to break into atm
— Ryan Allison (@ryanallison041) March 17, 2021
I like that he admitted the fault but this could go beyond that. There is a generational talent involved and decisions could make or mar its development.
— Mr Samuel (@Samuel_tejuoso) March 17, 2021
Now we gonna lose anutha young talent if this keeps up.
— Anders??????⚽ (@Andersj822010) March 17, 2021
Rest saka and play martinelli
— Mea92?? (@NusmaMea) March 17, 2021
Why on earth is he holding back the youngster? Give him some minutes for crying out loud.
— R Provi (@ProviRohan) March 17, 2021
It’s good that Arteta is being honest about the situation. The Spaniard does have a lot of options in wide areas, including the likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Nicolas Pepe, Willian and even Martin Odegaard.
However, Martinelli has shown his undoubted potential when afforded minutes on the pitch and he is more than deserving of another chance to show what he can do.