Darren Bent believes Gabriel Martinelli’s place is the only one under threat for Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Manchester City this weekend.
The Brazil international missed an excellent chance to open the scoring in Arsenal’s goalless draw against Atalanta in the Champions League on Thursday evening and has now gone 17 games for the Gunners without a goal or an assist.
Mikel Arteta’s side now turn their attention to Sunday where they will play City at the Etihad Stadium.
And Bent feels Raheem Sterling should start on Arsenal’s left flank ahead of Martinelli.
‘I didn’t think we’d concede [against Atalanta], I know we got fortunate with the penalty, but Arsenal were just way off it, I mean way off it, just didn’t create anything,’ Bent told talkSPORT.
‘Kai Havertz again, he played well, he tried to do what he needed to do, Declan [Rice] maybe a little bit off it, I wouldn’t say he was rusty because he’s played a lot of football although he missed the last one.
‘Gabriel Jesus – he looks like someone who is lacking a lot of match sharpness. Martinelli is the same.
‘It was definitely a game where I didn’t think Bukayo Saka needed to play, he didn’t really look fit, looked like he was carrying an injury. Remember he hobbled off against Tottenham, you want to keep him fresh for the weekend.
‘But when you look at that team, I genuinely think there’s only one spot available for that game against Manchester City, I was waiting for someone to step up.
‘The only spot I can see available right now is that left-hand side. The reason why I say that is because Kai Havertz will go into his normal centre-forward role, he looks so much for comfortable there, [Leandro] Trossard will play No.10 where Odegaard plays.
‘Martinelli did himself no favours last night [against Atalanta]. He can play Jesus out there but he looks lacking.
‘I think that’s the only place or position where you go, ‘if he picks Martinelli fair enough, if he picks Sterling you go fair enough’. I’m going Sterling.
‘Martinelli right now, I think he got six goals last season, 15 the year before, even his decision making, did you see his chance? Even when he went through on goal, it was one of them where he just rushed everything, wrong technique. A lack of confidence, he’s almost too anxious to get in there, but once he gets in there usually we see him go ice cold.’
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