Arsenal’s recent winter camp has suggested that Gabriel Martinelli could be set for a new role under Mikel Arteta following the closure of the January transfer window.
The official Arsenal Twitter account posted a video on social media captioned “serious finishing” with the fire emoji next to it, and Martinelli is the first player on the video to score a goal.
The Gunners were expected to sign a striker in January after being heavily linked to Dusan Vlahovic but failed in their attempts.
Arteta’s side is extremely short in the attacking position, which has given Martinelli the potential responsibility to play as a striker.
The Brazilian already played in a more central forward role earlier this season during the Gunners' 2-0 defeat against Chelsea at the Emirates stadium.
However, his lack of impact in that match should not cloud over Arteta’s decision to play him there in the future, as the line-up against Chelsea was very weak due to injuries and the Covid-19 situation.
Martinelli has scored four goals in 14 Premier League games this season, which was the same amount as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in identical games before he departed the club for Barcelona, showing that the Brazilian has the pedigree to play in that position.
Serious finishing
Goal-line clearances
A pace test from the boss
It's time to go up close and personal with our latest training edit from Dubai— Arsenal (@Arsenal)
Arsenal are in desperate need of fresh ideas because Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are the only strikers at the club, but the two players have only recorded three open play goals between them in the Premier League this campaign which has caused a lot of doubt amongst the fanbase.
The Gunners seemed strong in this position at the start of the season because Aubameyang and Folarin Balogun were still options for Arteta, but this has now been halved.
Despite struggling in the position before, Martinelli did prove a success as a centre forward during the 2019/20 season against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, scoring a brace in an end-to-end 5-5 clash.
He played so well in this match that he was endorsed by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who described the 20-year-old as being an “Incredible striker.”
He was further praised by former Arsenal player Robin van Persie. Speaking on BT Sport as a pundit, the Dutchman said: “The moves he makes, he is always looking for space. I was playing on the wing at that age. With time he will get even better."
If the suggestions from Arsenal’s latest social media video is to be believed, then Martinelli could well be in for a chance of transitioning into the forward role which he was always destined for.
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