The Arsenal legend has explained why he believes Mikel Arteta isn’t getting the best out of Gabriel Martinelli this season.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta must focus on providing better service to Gabriel Martinelli, according to Ian Wright.
Wright feels Arsenal’s play is too orientated on the right side around Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. He wants Martinelli to get a similar quality of service on the left flank, ideally in a quick manner.
“You look at our build-up play, and it’s very Saka-orientated. Odegaard – Saka, Odegaard – Saka,” former Gunners striker Wright said.
“When you look at Martinelli, especially earlier on when he was doing what he was doing. He was torching people.
“I would love to see at some stage Mikel find the same kind of service to him as quickly as they possibly can because he is somebody that wants to go past on the outside or the inside.
“If Martinelli gets the ball and there’s two behind, Martinelli, we know that he will try to take them on, but on the main, he will come back and pass it back.
“I hate to see Martinelli going back the other way because the ball has not got there quick enough. Those are the things that I am thinking we have to be quicker in getting the ball to him.”
Last season, Martinelli provided 15 goals and five assists in 36 Premier League games. His numbers have dipped in 2023/24 though, with a mere two goals and two assists in 18 appearances.
The 22-year-old will hope to improve on Sunday when Arsenal face Liverpool in a third-round FA Cup tie.
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