Gabriel Martinelli’s recent performances have been below-par (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Arsenal need to ‘find service’ for Gabriel Martinelli and are too focused on playing down Bukayo Saka’s side.
That’s according to Ian Wright, who feels the Gunners are not getting the best out of Martinelli.
The Brazilian has scored just four goals this season and his performances have dipped from last term.
With Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah struggling in front of goal, the Gunners have been reliant on Saka.
Martin Odegaard tends to operate in a pocket between Jesus and Saka, meaning Arsenal’s play is weighted to the right.
And Wright has urged Arteta to find a way to get the ball to Martinelli, and in quicker fashion.
Around 50% of Arsenal’s attacks are down the right (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
‘You look at our build-up play, and it’s very Saka-orientated. Odegaard – Saka, Odegaard – Saka. And when you look at Martinelli, especially earlier on when he was doing what he was doing. He was torching people,’ said Wright.
‘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 on 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.’
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