Mikel Arteta insists Gabriel Martinelli remains a fundamental part of his plans, despite the Arsenal winger’s place in the starting XI coming under increasing threat following the signing of Raheem Sterling.
Martinelli has been a key part of the progress Arsenal have made under a manager who was earlier this week rewarded with a new three-year contract.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a stellar 2022/23 campaign, during which he scored 15 goals, but his form has deteriorated over the course of the last 12 months.
Injuries and the emergence of Leandro Trossard haven’t helped his cause and the arrival of Sterling on deadline day will only serve to increase the competition for places.
Martinelli started the first two games of the new season, but was dropped to the bench for the 1-1 draw against Brighton prior to the international break.
With Sterling now available to make his debut against Spurs on Sunday, Arteta was asked where Martinelli now sat in the pecking order and the Arsenal manager said: ‘Especially at this level, we’re talking about what we have to do this week and the way we play and the demands that we have.
‘We need wingers with ability to go one vs one, to attack the spaces, to have the work rate, to increase the goal threat from every position and we have players who can play in various positions in the front line, especially because we have some injuries there.
‘In the past we have to be protected and all the players we have here have these qualities.’
Speaking ahead of the crunch north London derby, Arteta revealed he was convinced, meanwhile, that Sterling was in the right frame of mind to join Arsenal’s push for silverware after just 10 seconds on the phone to the 29-year-old England international.
‘His first words were: ‘I was dreaming about this call’,’ said Arteta. ‘That’s it. That tells you that he really wants it and was already thinking about the possibility and he could see himself here, delivering and enjoying his profession.
‘After 10 seconds I knew we had to bring him (to Arsenal) because he really wanted it, and that was my only question mark, what stage is he at in his career? But after 10 seconds I knew.
‘He looks great. He has got a big smile on his face, a lot of energy and he wants to prove a point. When someone has got that in their belly you sense it straight away. I don’t need to discuss his quality and what he can bring to the team.’
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