Gabriel Martinelli has always been one of the most exciting players in Arsenal’s squad. Since arriving from Ituano in 2019, the Brazilian winger has developed into a high-energy forward capable of turning a match with one burst of pace or a single sharp finish. His rise was meteoric in his first years, earning praise from some of the game’s biggest names, including Jurgen Klopp who famously described him as a “talent of the century.”
For Arsenal, he has often embodied the fearless, direct style of football that Mikel Arteta wants to build around. In 2022–23, he became one of the **Premier League**’s most productive wide forwards, matching the numbers of some of Europe’s elite. Yet, as Arsenal’s tactical shape has evolved and new signings have arrived, Martinelli’s role has shifted. He is no longer the guaranteed match-winner every week. Instead, his place in the puzzle is one that is being reconsidered.
The question now is whether Martinelli remains one of Arteta’s indispensable cornerstones or if he is drifting toward a more rotational role.
Performance Review
Martinelli’s best season to date remains the 2022–23 campaign. With 15 Premier League goals and five assists, he was a constant menace on Arsenal’s left flank. His acceleration, dribbling, and willingness to take risks made him a nightmare for defenders. That season, he not only stretched opposition back lines but also showed improved composure in the final third, finishing chances with confidence and maturity.
However, his numbers dipped in 2023–24, when he managed only six league goals. Some of this was due to Arsenal’s evolving tactics, with more structured attacking patterns leaving him isolated on the flank. Injuries also disrupted his rhythm, and he at times looked a step slower in his decision-making. While he still offered work rate and flashes of brilliance, his end product was noticeably reduced.
In 2024–25, his performances improved slightly with eight league goals, but the consistency still wasn’t there. While he continued to be a direct outlet on the left wing, he found it harder to influence games as heavily as before. Arsenal fans noticed a trend that his movement became more predictable. Whereas he used to drift into central areas to combine with the striker, he increasingly stayed glued to the touchline. This change limited his opportunities to impact the game in dangerous spaces.
That said, Martinelli continues to provide pressing intensity and tireless work off the ball. His defensive contribution is often overlooked, but in terms of defensive actions per 90 minutes, he remains one of Arsenal’s hardest-working forwards. Even when he isn’t scoring, his effort in pressing and transitional play has real value.
Overall, Martinelli’s Arsenal career so far can be summed up as a mixture of explosive highs and frustrating inconsistency. The talent is undeniable, but the challenge has been producing it every week.
Tactical Fit
Tactically, Martinelli offers something unique in Arsenal’s attack. He is the most direct of Arteta’s wingers, constantly looking to run in behind and exploit space on the counter. His acceleration makes him the ideal outlet when Arsenal want to transition quickly, and his ability to press from the front sets the tone for the team defensively.
At his peak, he provides balance to Arsenal’s attack. On the right, Bukayo Saka brings creativity and composure, while Martinelli on the left stretches the pitch vertically. This dual threat forces opposition defences to spread, creating gaps for players like Martin Ødegaard and Kai Havertz to exploit.
However, Arsenal’s tactical evolution in recent years has reduced the space available for Martinelli. Arteta has placed greater emphasis on controlled possession and patience in build-up, particularly in games against deep-sitting teams. In these matches, Martinelli’s strengths are harder to utilise. He thrives in space, not against packed defences where he has less room to accelerate.
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Another factor is the arrival of new signings like Eberechi Eze. If Eze starts on the left wing, Martinelli is likely to lose his place in the starting lineup, since both cannot occupy the same role effectively. Eze offers more creativity and central influence, while Martinelli is more direct. This means that when Arteta wants variety and ball progression, Eze is favoured, but when Arsenal want explosive pace and vertical threat, Martinelli becomes the option.
In short, Martinelli remains a useful tactical weapon, but he is no longer as untouchable in the lineup as he once was. His fit depends heavily on the type of opponent and the specific approach Arteta chooses.
Future Role
The big question is what comes next for Martinelli. At 24 years old, he is still entering what should be his prime years. His ceiling remains high, but he must adapt his game to Arsenal’s evolving system if he is to remain a first-choice starter.
One possibility is that he accepts more of a rotational role, starting in games where Arsenal expect to face space in behind. Against defensive low blocks, he may feature less often in favour of creative players who can break down stubborn structures. In this way, he would become a situational starter rather than a guaranteed name on the team sheet.
Another possibility is that Martinelli evolves his game. If he can add more variation, such as drifting centrally to combine or improving his decision-making in tight spaces, he could re-establish himself as an indispensable starter. He has the raw attributes to become more than just a runner in behind, but the next step is about consistency and adaptability.
There are also whispers of potential transfer interest from abroad. Clubs in Spain and Italy have reportedly tracked his progress, believing that his direct style might thrive in different tactical environments. While Arsenal are unlikely to sell such a young talent without a significant offer, the mere speculation shows that his future isn’t entirely secure.
Ultimately, Martinelli’s role at Arsenal is at a crossroads. He is too talented to be dismissed, but not consistent enough to be guaranteed his old influence. Whether he becomes a key figure in Arsenal’s future or settles into a supporting role will depend on how he responds in the next two seasons.
Importance to Arsenal’s Future: 6 / 10
Gabriel Martinelli remains a valuable asset to Arsenal. His pace, directness, and pressing ability are still unmatched within the squad. On his day, he can decide matches and tilt the balance of a game in Arsenal’s favour.
However, he is not as central to the project as players like Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, or Declan Rice. His influence has waned since his breakout season, and the signing of players like Eberechi Eze means his position is under greater threat. A rating of 6 out of 10 reflects his continued importance, but also the fact that Arsenal can achieve their goals without him being the central figure.
Martinelli still has time to prove that he can be more than a rotational option. If he can rediscover the explosiveness of 2022–23 while adding consistency, he could push that rating higher. For now, however, he is an important piece of the puzzle, but not the irreplaceable one.