Gabriel Martinelli now set for new role that could save Arsenal millions for transfers
During the recent training session with the Brazilian national squad, Gabriel Martinelli, the Arsenal star, was employed as a center-forward.
While he has predominantly played on the left wing for the Gunners, especially during Unai Emery’s tenure, Transfermarkt indicates that he has only been featured as a central forward 16 times.
However, footage from the latest training session with Brazil suggests that Selecao’s head coach, Fernando Diniz, experimented with Martinelli as a striker.
In this setup, Martinelli seemed to be positioned at the tip of a 4-2-3-1 formation, leading the attack ahead of Vinicius Jr and Rodrigo from Real Madrid, along with Barcelona’s Raphinha.
É O DINIZISMO NA SELEÇÃO! 👀 E essa toqueira do time titular no treino da #SeleçãoBrasileira? Se não fosse a trave, seria um golaço! 😱👏🇧🇷🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/x2B1PlwPVS
— TNT Sports BR (@TNTSportsBR) November 14, 2023
If the former Ituano starlet excels in the role of a striker, it would be a positive development for Arsenal, especially considering their recent links to a new forward.
Brentford’s Ivan Toney has been mentioned as a potential acquisition for Mikel Arteta’s team, with reports suggesting a valuation of approximately £100 million for the English international.
Gunners icon Martin Keown has previously recommended that Arteta provide Martinelli with an opportunity in the striker position. Reflecting on the young forward earlier this year, Keown stated in an interview with BT Sport: “I believe, strongly believe, that he’s a natural goalscorer.
“I would have thought actually the central position is his natural position. But from the left, we now get inside forwards.
“We saw this with [Mohamed] Salah and [Sadio] Mane, particularly when they played together as a pair, just tucking in, because Saka’s doing the same thing. So they get a bit more freedom.
“But put him in the middle and he will score goals. I think he’s about to prove that tonight. He’s got everything in his game.”
Gabriel Martinelli now set for new role that could save Arsenal millions for transfers