Gabriel Martinelli’s 2022–23 season felt like a breakthrough moment. He was relentless on the left, full of goals and energy, and looked like one of the most exciting young players in Europe. Since then, the spark has been harder to find. His output has dipped, injuries have interrupted his rhythm, and he has struggled to consistently influence games in the same way.
That is the backdrop to Arsenal’s summer move for Eberechi Eze. The England international is not just another squad player. He is a genuine starter who can operate centrally or out wide. His presence on the left means Martinelli no longer has the position to himself. For the first time in year, his starting role is under serious pressure.
Bilbao as a Reminder
The win in Bilbao gave Martinelli the perfect stage to remind everyone what he is capable of. Introduced in the second half, he wasted no time. A quick run behind the defence and a composed finish put Arsenal in front. Later, he turned provider, setting up Leandro Trossard to seal the points.
It was not a masterclass over ninety minutes, but it was the sort of cameo that can change a player’s confidence. Martinelli’s expression after scoring told its own story. There was joy, but also relief. It felt like a player sending a message that he is not ready to fade into the background.
(Photo by Juanma - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
That matters because his recent form has not been at that level. Too often, he has looked frustrated, trying to make something happen without the end product to match. The goal and assist in Spain did not erase those struggles, but they did show that the hunger is still there.
Competition as Fuel
The difference now is that Martinelli has a direct rival. Eze offers Arteta a different profile on the left. He drifts inside, combines neatly, and can dictate tempo. That contrast forces Martinelli to think harder about how he can evolve his own game.
The Brazilian’s trademark has always been directness. He thrives on running at defenders, attacking space, and pressing aggressively. Those strengths remain valuable, but they are no longer enough on their own. Opponents know what to expect. The challenge is to add layers. More composure in build-up, more varied runs, and sharper decision-making in the final third.
That kind of retooling does not happen overnight. It requires a shift in mindset as much as in tactics. And Eze’s presence provides the perfect nudge. When you are no longer guaranteed a start, training carries more weight, every cameo matters, and every detail in preparation feels sharper.
Signs of Change
There are already hints that Martinelli is beginning to adjust. His assist for Trossard in Bilbao showed patience and awareness rather than simply charging toward goal. He has looked a touch more selective in when to take on defenders and when to recycle possession. The finishing of his goal suggested calm rather than desperation.
None of this means Martinelli has reinvented himself. His overall form has been inconsistent for too long to claim a sudden transformation. But the signs of willingness to adapt are there. The question is whether he can sustain them across a season.
Why Arsenal Benefit Either Way
From the club’s perspective, this is a win-win. If Martinelli responds to competition with growth, Arsenal gain a more complete forward. If he does not, Arteta still has Eze ready to step in. Either way, the left side remains a position of strength.
What Eze’s signing has done is raise the level of expectation. Martinelli cannot coast. He has to show something new. That environment, uncomfortable as it may be, is often what produces development in players who looked like they had reached a plateau.
A Story Still Being Written
What makes Martinelli’s situation compelling is that it is not settled. He has not yet reemerged as the unstoppable winger of 2022–23, nor has he faded into a forgotten option. He stands at a crossroads. The Bilbao cameo was a spark, a glimpse of what might follow if he embraces the challenge.
The next stage is consistency. Can he bring that urgency and variety into league matches week after week? Can he turn a single European night into the start of a longer run? Those are the questions that will define his season.
For now, the only certainty is that Eze’s arrival has forced Martinelli to think differently about his game. That pressure could be the key to unlocking his next chapter. Whether he takes that chance is up to him.