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Arteta tipped to start Gabriel Martinelli vs Leicester

By Ritayan Chatterjee on February 24, 2023

Journalist Charles Watts has tipped Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to bring Gabriel Martinelli back to the starting eleven against Leicester City this weekend.

The 21-year-old has been an integral part of Arteta’s starting eleven this campaign, scoring eight goals and notching up two assists in 23 Premier League appearances, helping his side in placing themselves at the top of the league.

However, he has struggled to showcase his best in recent weeks and as a consequence of that, he lost his place in the starting eleven to the new January signing Leandro Trossard in the last game versus Aston Villa.

But, he made his mark in that fixture by scoring the Gunners’ fourth goal and sealing a crucial victory over the Villans after coming on off the bench midway through the second half, replacing the Belgian.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Watts has said that it is going to be interesting to see who Arteta goes with on the left flank this weekend and the journalist thinks that it will be Martinelli, especially after his contribution in the last game.

Arteta tipped to start Martinelli

Watts further claims that the Brazilian has caused opposition problems in recent times, coming on off the bench in the second half due to his dynamism and enthusiasm. But, Arteta is likely to bring Martinelli back to the starting eleven this Saturday.

Watts said:

“Do you stick with Trossard from the start for this one? It’s going to be an interesting call for Mikel Arteta, I think. Personally, I imagine Martinelli will come back into the side for this one, especially after the impact he made at Villa Park.

“There is certainly an argument to suggest maybe you go with Trossard and you bring on Martinelli with half an hour to go. That pace, that enthusiasm, that drive, the energy that he’s got, it just causes teams all sorts of problems.

“And that’s been backed up with his last couple of appearances off the substitutes bench. It’s a bit of a decision I think from Mikel to make. Personally, I think he’ll probably go with Martinelli.”

It would be harsh on Trossard if Arteta decides to drop him after just one start. And given, Martinelli – valued at around £53m by Transfermarkt – did well as a second-half substitute against Unai Emery’s side last Saturday, I think Arteta should stick with the same strategy versus Leicester.