Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has suggested that Gabriel Martinelli needs to improve his decision making to help ease the attacking burden on Bukayo Saka.
The Frenchman was a guest on Sky Sports’ Monday Night football programme and ahead of the Bournemouth vs West Ham clash, he delivered an in-depth analysis of his former club’s recent struggles in front of goal.
Since putting five past the Hammers, the Gunners’ last three Premier League goals - against Manchester United and Fulham - have come via a set-piece.
At the weekend Mikel Arteta’s side were held to a frustrating goalless draw at home to Everton as they failed to take advantage of Premier League leaders Liverpool dropping points in the title race.
Now, Henry already highlighted Arsenal’s over-reliance on attacking down the right-hand side, particularly through the Saka and Martin Odegaard, saying his old club have become “too predictable”.
Furthermore, the Frenchman used two examples involving Martinelli in recent games, stating the Brazilian’s choice of selection in the final third is a reason for the Gunners failing to create clear cut chances from open play.
"Martinelli 1v1 with Dalot. They're not doubling up, by the time Matthijs De Ligt gets there, I don't think he will make it, Henry said. "You're not playing your 1v1, you're not playing your 1v1, I would say 10 seconds after, maybe a bit more than 10 seconds after look at where your winger was in a 1v1 situation against Man United and if you press pause now look at where he is [on the halfway line].
“He was in a 1v1 situation, we worked to put you in a 1v1, why are you bringing the ball back to play here?”
The other moment was at the weekend against Everton, as Henry was once again critical of the Brazilian’s decision making when he had three teammates in better positions.
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"This is what I'm trying to say, sometimes they will say 'Arsenal didn't create' you did create, it's the choice that you didn't take,” he added.
"Martinelli knows at that particular moment if he dummies with his shoulder and goes inside he has one tap-in, two tap-in, three tap-in if he goes back inside. That's the last thing he should have done, going on your wrong foot and shooting."
It’s not been the best of weeks for Martinelli as he was on the wrong end of some choice words from Paul Merson after being flagged offside in the build-up to Saka’s disallowed goal in the 1-1 draw at Fulham.