He needs to relax in front of goal after his pace runs He's far far far too frantic with the end product

I wrote a comment about confidence and how he will regain it, but a huge factor is the lack of playing happening on the left side. Zinchenko has honestly been pretty lackluster this season, but even when he is on his game, he wants to play in the middle more than with Martinelli. Rice, Havertz, Jorginho, same with them, they want to play the middle, and this is OK! I think having different playing styles on the left compared to the right is a good thing, can be very surprizing. The problem is, nobody is really complementing or amplifying Martinelly like they do on the right. Martinelli is a really fast and creative guy, who can carry the ball. I think we only need one new player to help him. Either, it should be a left back with good pace that can keep up and combine with Martinelli, like say Davies or Grimaldo as fun examples (this would also solve the "Zin cant keep pace with Salah/Doku" situation). He could also be complemented by an Ödegård style of play with precise through balls that he can make a run for, tearing the enemy defence. Finally, Arteta can tell Jesus to keep dropping left as he likes, and maybe he and Martinelli could co-ordinate a bit more than they have done, complementing eath other with Jesus' ball retention and Martinellis pace?

Wanna see him play as number 9

I love Martinelli, he is creative and hard working. Remember, how the first Ars-ManC game this season completely turned when he jumped in, and how he scored the winning goal. I think it is a question of confidence. When Havertz and Raya joined their confidence was pretty low, but look at them now! Same with Jesus and Martinelli, give them love and they will get confidence and give us goals!

I'd argue Martinelli is as good as Saka... the point is that the interaction with Odegaard and White makes Saka look much better

I think there is definitely a player there, but I honestly can't see how he can improve. For the last two seasons he hasn't improved on scanning while dribbling, he always looks down. Saka is nowhere near as fast as Martinelli but is more effective because he is more direct and has his head on a swivel. If only Trossard had Martinelli's pace we would have the complete winger.

Arteta's shackled Martinelli and Saka so much that they've both now become too one dimensional and predictable

Just gonna say isn't it okay for a 22 year old to go through ups and downs? Also frankly speaking Martinelli IMHO was one of the most important players in keeping Arsenal ticking early this season. How many corners did he win? Arsenal were struggling to score goals from open play and the set pieces Martinelli won were invaluable. Season in review he's there! Also building a new partnership with Havertz who was struggling and timber missing I think hurt things. You have ball progressors, facilitators and receivers. Zini is a facilitator, he moves the ball around but he's no Xhaka or Partey when it comes from getting the ball deep to the front. The LHS has struggled for service all season. Largely also due to an inconsistent roster right? The RHS has been solid and unchanged. What I'm trying to say is, he hasn't really had that bad of a season. He's shown up in some key moments, was for a period the driving force of the team and hasn't really been able to have consistency on his side. Also his service has been lacklustre.

What makes feel it’s a martinelli problem more than a system issue is when Trossard plays he isn’t left out wide he receives the ball a lot more and cut in early enough to take a shot or cross

I think the constant changes at LB and Left 8 have hindered, also was injured. Last year week in and week out it was xhaka and zinny and their chemistry was so good.

great analysis!

Our wingers were the stand-out performers last season - and with Arteta's new structure they have both suffered, Martinelli and Saka. Again it is Arteta's overthinking and tinkering. Odegaard smothering Saka on the left, and Havertz making Martinelli redundant, with no interplay and cohesion. Sure Arteta is a great tactician, but he's letting our best and most 'dangerous' talents down.

Is he too much of a pacy head down winger?

Martinelli is doing just fine, if he wasn’t then Arteta wouldn’t be playing him. The fact that Martinelli is happy doing this rather than moaning about his lack of personal benefit shows what a great guy he is

Even brazilian Ronaldo didn't recover from the injury. Don't have an over exuberant hope. Belief is good but do not over dream. See what he can provide when he actually comes back.

Martinelli is the best but injury is the issues and don't forget xhaka combination last season

❤❤

The best

Partey back into the team, Martinelli can rediscover himself quicker....the ability to release the ball quicker to him when not covered up helps him a lot to cause enough chaos to defenders though he has to improve on his final balls after those runs because of the final ball, is the reason Trossard remains way ahead of him

Love ur work❤..cool down on the timbre hype Though…I just hope timbre is not the second coming of nuno tavares😂..Saka is not the only one though..foden is and has always been better than Saka…

He’s still a special player, he’s improved season after season since he’s joined, of course with the exception of this season. He just doesn’t have the consistent help on the left after Xhaka’s departure. I’m sure next season will be when the team is finally at a complete balance all around the pitch and the beginning of Arteta’s peak arsenal reign.

Martinelli & Saka need some strong competition in order to up their game as for the second season in a row they fade towards the end. Arsenal clearly need to bring in either Eze or Olise from Palace.

We need a proper LCM to complement Martinelli. He gets no help from inverted LB and midfield

Good episode, as always interesting and intelligent content 👍

Alvaro Carreras will be the answer, Arsenal should sign this left back

Is it funny how its always the system's fault when Martinelli struggles while Trossard is still performing in the same role. And even when Havertz was out of the LCM role and Rice played box to box Martinelli still struggled. Even when we had Kiwior as a LB and he doesnt invert so Martinelli can cut in but Martinelli always wants to dribble in a straight line to the byline, even when theres space to cut in with the ball at his feet, Martinelli isnt a great dribbler, he isnt as creative, im guessing thats why Mikel wanted Mudryk...Trossard's performances and our performances as a team show that it isnt entirely a system problem. Maybe Martinelli is soon going to reach his ceiling as a LW and will have to become a striker to reach World Class striker

Kia Havertz may have scored 2 goals in the second half but he isn't good enough for Arsenal he is too sluggish and slow, he misses a lot of chances in front of goal. Martinelli is playing primary school football he only has space but no football ideas, no skills and they should be on the bench next season for more quality players that can improve the team to start. Arsenal need 2 quality strikers, 2 quality midfielders a versatile defender that can cover Saliba and Gabriel and Saka back up that's fast and skilful and Arsenal will win everything next season

Your analysis is par excellent, sir. Excellent. I just subscribed, how can i not. Its sad though that i just met you now. Should have been earlier. But i am glad i did. Martinelli...special. talent. Unlike players like Fabregas, Sanchez, Thierry who played with head raised, i do not know if that affects Martinelli a bit. He's always looking down. Exceptional player like i said.

If Martinelli had scored at 96 mins we wouldn't be having this conversation

We need Jesus in that 9 to improve martinelli but I still love him

Alex your analysis and wisdom is a God given gift. Keep on keeping on

I think his injury against Sheffiled is worse than being reported

Cringe

Maybe we should try NNT's idea by moving Ode to left? ( ‘ o ‘ )

We've been weak at the back on the left hand side..I imagine timber being back will open our play a bit more

In your hand before, lost it and bottling it again the league title. Absolute bottler once again🎉🎉

I am not Arsenal fan but Martinelli is my favorite player. I remember how difficult he was for Walker when Arsenal won City 1-0 , I tink this is totally Arteta fault, he should know how to use the best of his players. Come to Liverpool Martinelli, you would be happy.

I love your content ... but not a fan of this recent Martinelli doubt-mongering especially when coupled with suggestions we should think about buying Rashford. Both players had excellent seasons last campaign, and both have been bang average this term. So, the solution is to bring one over the other? No. As you said yourself, it's a blip in Martinelli's progression. He's 22. Rashford is 27 soon. I'd take Martinelli over Rashford every day of the week, for the next 5 seasons.

He's the best finisher in the squad. Id love to see him have a run at centre forward

I have a feeling he’s going to score against Tottenham this weekend. Him Kai Havertz and Saka will score.

He needs no fixing, just need to stop plant his head in the ground with the ball, stop taking 52 touches with the ball, cause that’s not how we play, and cross the God damn balls more instead of making his predictable to the by line

Absolutely love this analysis! Best Arsenal videos here

It is normal for young players to have a dip, he will comeback stronger and better no doubt.

As soon as timber is available many of these problems will be solved

I really hope Gabi succeed at Arsenal. Wish him all the best. COYG

Dribble dribble dribble loose the ball dribble dribble dribble fall down looking for penalty.

What do people think about ESR being trained as a CF? He has played as rotation for Martinelli and scored a few from the left. He knows the number 10 role and could drop into a box CM (Rice, Thomas, ESR, MO8). Can score, provides good linkup, not short, can swap roles with others for short periods as he knows those roles already.... This isn't to suggest we don't need to sign a CF. Curiosity. (^.^)

he has 11g/a so far , i think people are overreacting, 11g/a is good for a 22year old in his circumstance

Love your analysis and perspective. Keep it coming

it is pretty simple. we don't play at left at all, and we don't do fast transitions this season. Trossard scored more than half of his goals from the middle or from the right.