Gabriel Martinelli steps up as Arsenal cruise past Sheffield United

With numerous absentees in attacking positions for Arsenal, Sunday night was finally Gabriel Martinelli’s time to shine as he started and starred against Sheffield United.

Martinelli has only started four games in The Premier League for The Gunners this season thanks to injuries among other things, but with the absence of Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the Arsenal attack this weekend, the Brazilian was given his opportunity.

The winger spent his warm-up alongside fellow youngster Bukayo Saka, lashing in goal after goal before the game had even begun. Martinelli took his sharp finishing skills into the game as he netted his first goal of the season during Arsenal’s 3-0 win.

Although he started slow, Martinelli grew into the game after ten minutes, picking up the ball on his wing and driving at the defence at almost every opportunity. The Brazilian brings something very different to the Arsenal attack when he plays with his direct play and fast dribbling causing problems for any defender he comes up against.

The unlucky man given the job of marking the 19-year-old on Sunday night was George Baldock, who struggled to handle his man all night. After 20 minutes of stalemate with little chances in the match to speak of, Martinelli took the game into his own hands as he picked up the ball on the left wing in space and drove himself into the box. The winger rifled a shot at goal and was unlucky to see his effort smash into the side netting, just off target.

On the hour mark, Arsenal fans will have been on the edge of their seats as Martinelli went down clutching his ankle in pain. The Brazilian has already been troubled with injuries throughout his short career at Arsenal, something that has certainly hindered his progress into the first team and caused a lot of discomfort for the winger in recent times.

Luckily for Arsenal and their young forward, Martinelli’s injury wasn’t as serious as first thought as he struggled to his feet after only a minute on the ground and hobbled off to the sidelines, where he stretched and then returned to action almost immediately.

It was only ten minutes after his injury scare until Martinelli shook off his cobwebs and netted Arsenal’s second goal of the game. Nicolas Pepe curled a low shot towards the bottom corner and although Aaron Ramsdale managed to prevent the Ivorian winger scoring, his parried save fell right into the lap of the onrushing Martinelli at the back post who couldn’t miss an open net from two yards out as he buried his chance.

Martinelli screamed out with joy as he netted his goal, the passion on his face was clear to see throughout the game and the goal clearly meant everything to the forward who wheeled away to celebrate with his teammates.

From the first whistle to when he was taken off late in the game, Martinelli was always involved in the match and looked a constant threat down the left for Mikel Arteta’s side. The winger’s direct style of play became almost crucial for Arsenal during the match with most good things for The Gunners coming down the left wing.

Martinelli was taken off after 83 minutes, perhaps a precaution due to the slight knock he picked up during the game as well as resting the forward before Arsenal’s big Europa League game on Thursday. His fantastic performance will surely put him into contention for a start on Thursday as well as in the remaining games this season, as fans question why he wasn’t picked over Willian for Thursday’s matchup against Slavia Prague.

Martinelli showed how well he has settled into English football after the game as he was interviewed in English for the first time, speaking about his superb performance:

‘I am feeling a bit tired but I’m so happy with the goal and even happier with the victory and the three points.

‘I’m so happy, the hard work always pays off.’

When asked about his knock and if he was feeling ok, Martinelli laughed and replied with:

‘No. I am alright to play Thursday.’

There is no denying the drive and desire behind Martinelli and he clearly wants to prove himself and become a regular starter for Arsenal next season. With rumours of an Arsenal rebuild in the Summer, Martinelli could be one of the players who Arteta builds his squad around, with the Brazilian showing a deep passion to play for the club.