“Drop Martinelli to the bench right now and start this player on the left wing”- Mikel Arteta has been SERIOUSLY WARNED to stop using Martinelli and start £47M player on the wing for Arsenal- Not Trossard, Not Smith Rowe and not Vierra
Former Arsenal star Patrick Vieira, now a pundit for Sky Sports, recently weighed in on Arsenal’s attacking setup during a discussion on Premier League strikers. Vieira suggested that Gabriel Jesus, a £45 million signing, could be more effective on the left wing, particularly in crucial matches like the Champions League clash against Porto. He emphasized Jesus’s success in wider roles and urged Mikel Arteta to consider deploying him there instead of Gabriel Martinelli.
Vieira clarified that he doesn’t view Gabriel Jesus as a traditional striker, citing his best seasons where he excelled from wider positions. He proposed Arteta experiment with Jesus on the left flank, potentially displacing Martinelli from the starting lineup. Ideally, Vieira envisioned Arsenal strengthening their attacking options with a top-notch number nine, allowing Jesus to move to the left wing alongside Bukayo Saka on the right, while Martinelli serves as a substitute.
His perspective resonated with fellow pundit Bothroyd, who highlighted Jesus’s versatility and stressed the importance of a prolific goal scorer in Arsenal’s squad. Bothroyd envisioned a potent attacking trio of Jesus, Saka, and a top-tier striker, giving Arteta flexibility in rotation and ensuring players remain rested throughout the season.
While benching Martinelli may raise eyebrows considering his impact, the allure of bolstering the squad with another quality striker is compelling. Such depth would provide Arteta with various attacking combinations, bolstering competitiveness and potentially propelling Arsenal to elite status.
While some may argue Arsenal’s current striking options suffice, the pursuit of multiple high-caliber players in each position is increasingly emblematic of top-tier clubs striving for excellence in modern football.
