MY ACCOUNT
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s January departure means Arsenal are looking for a man to lead the line.
The Gunners were actively searching for a new striker in January but failed in their attempts to sign Dusan Vlahovic among other reported targets.
That means Mikel Arteta will have to work with what he has and Gabriel Martinelli could be the one to step up.
Ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash at Wolves on Thursday, we look at the case for the young Brazilian becoming their new star goalscorer.
Laca goals
With Aubameyang absent from matchday squads since the start of December due to a disciplinary breach, Arsenal have had plenty of time to prepare for life without him.
The Gabon striker now finds himself at Barcelona after securing a deadline day move.
Alexandre Lacazette has been the most regular choice up front since then and after a flurry of five goal involvements in the month of December, the Frenchman has struggled since.
The Gunners’ last win came on Boxing Day and in the five games in all competitions since then, their No9 is goalless and the team have managed just one overall.
Creating 7.2 chances per game as a team, the opportunities have not been in short supply but Lacazette has squandered the two big chances put in front of him — landing him with a shooting accuracy of 14.29%.
With Lacazette and back-up No9 Eddie Nketiah misfiring, coupled with their respective contracts expiring this summer, the Emirates hierarchy will be looking ahead to who their next goal-getter will be.
Brazilian brilliance
And while the search for a new striker looks set to resume in the summer, Arteta may have the answer to his problem right in front of him.
Martinelli — who has most often been deployed on the left wing during his time in England — could have all the necessary attributes to play the leading role.
That is certainly the opinion of former midfielder Paul Merson, who has waxed lyrical about the 20-year-old.
He said: “I would give Gabriel Martinelli a go up front. You can’t rely on Alexandre Lacazette to get you goals. I would play Martinelli there.
“Take a chance on him. He’s very lively. Very quick. Defenders don’t like that. If he gets away from you, he’s in. He’s bright and he’s a good finisher.
“He could be the superstar Arsenal are waiting for, and they play through the lines, they play delicate little balls that he thrives on. Give him a go.”
Later adding that he thinks Arsenal’s inability to sign a striker will not dent their top-four hopes, it is clear Merson sees the Brazilian star as someone that can be trusted to score goals.
Can he do it?
Martinelli’s record of four league goals and two assists this campaign is somewhat underwhelming but there are a few factors to consider.
Having spent much of his time on the bench earlier this term, achieving that record of six goal involvements in a streak of just six games is slightly more impressive.
That is all from a starting position on the wing and he has shown on several occasions that he has the all-important striker’s instinct to go with his lightning pace and mesmerising skill.
Just two minutes after entering the field against Newcastle in November, the youngster superbly finished on the volley to seal a 2-0 victory.
A few weeks later, he further stamped his striking credentials with a fine double against Leeds — expertly side-footing home before delightfully racing through and chipping the goalkeeper moments later.
And in the Premier League, Martinelli has shown himself to be the second most clinical of the Gunners’ attackers.
With 0.41 goals per 90, only supersub Emile Smith Rowe has a better tally while the Brazil ace has shown his ambition by taking 2.68 shots per game — the third-most of any Gunners player.
There is certainly a case to suggest those numbers would only increase if deployed in a more central role.
A smart switch
While he may have what it takes, leading the line is not what Martinelli prefers.
Arteta has regularly referred to Martinelli as a striker but when asked about his favoured role the youngster went against that opinion.
He told Marca last February: “I really like playing on the left. It is my favourite position.
“I always give 100% for my team to end the game winning.”
But football can change very fast and if he can put together a run of scoring form, Martinelli may not mind his new role all too much.
He only has to look to a former Arsenal star for inspiration in Thierry Henry, who became a Premier League legend after switching from the wing to a central role early in his career in North London.
With Aubameyang now gone, talk has turned to who will take over Henry’s famed No14 shirt.
Such is the confidence Martinelli possesses, he has openly admitted his desire to be the jersey’s next recipient.
He has between now and the end of the season to prove why he should be exactly that.
