Kel Varnsen look at the pass map I shared earlier. Martinelli was one of our highest on deep completions, progressive passes and key passes. He was very active. The team is still a bit stiff but he was active and involved.
The Angel Gabriel (Martinelli)
Martinelli's 'activity' and 'involvement' is not in doubt; it's his capacity for precision, cutting edge, composure, seeing the game, and making the right decision that remains a question.
- Edited
He set up a couple of good chances off the top of my head. One for Saka and a better one for Kai. He got close to scoring himself too.
He’s a high volume player and always has been. He was the same when everyone loved him and he scored 15 goals.
Players of that type always get flak. Sterling was the same. The only way to shut people up is to produce the numbers, and I’m sure he will.
goon He set up a couple of good chances off the top of my head. One for Saka and a better one for Kai. He got close to scoring himself too.
Also one to Odegaard and another that was completely fluffed by a combination of Partey and White.
I thought he was our best attacker until Saka’s efficiency created two goals. But for the first thirty mins our best chances were all created by Martinelli.
He'll be alright. I'm not worried about him as long as he keeps starting he'll get his numbers. I'm surprised so many people predicted in the predictions thread he's their pick for most disappointing player of the season. Personally I reckon he'll lock down that side and end up one of our best players this season.
Big Willie i also like what we did yesterday and in pre-season, doing build up on the left side of the field. Ot gets Martinelli much more involved.
But it does two things for Saka. First we are seeing him much more involved on far post action. Second, when the ball is switched over to his flank and he’s in open space, it has to be the worst feeling for an opponent given the millions of ways he can beat you.
Just needs a little positive cycle of luck and confidence ... hope he gets it before Arteta decides to drop him again. If we get Merino he may well be a multiplier for Martinelli. He's marginally more direct, aggressive and mobile than Rice by the looks.
He wasn't terrible by any means. Similar to Odegaard if any of his key passes were capitalised on we wouldn't be so fussed about the performance.
He looks so desperate to score that he's forcing things a bit too much or overthinking. Hopefully when he gets his first goal this season it'll help him get his confidence back.
5 days later
Looks bereft of confidence, not sure it's any deeper than that. If we're still having this conversation come January (assuming he's not suffered another major injury during that time) then his place in the squad needs to be considered.
He’s been shit for over a year.
Needs to be benched for a while, starting Saturday. He had an opportunity against a raw green kid today and still struggled - speaks volumes about where he is right now.
Dropped by Brazil for entire squad says it all.
- Edited
I think this whole Martinelli thing is getting overblown tbh. Gary Neville was all over him today on commentary too, the rat.
He's never gonna be a player that finishes a match having made all the correct decisions and he'll probably always frustrate at times. But it's just a slump he's in at the min. A decisive goal should shift that. I don't think he was bad today and he's clearly got Arteta's trust.
Never knew a ‘rut’ lasted over 12 months
- Edited
Sicario2 - Tier 1 He had an opportunity against a raw green kid today and still struggled - speaks volumes about where he is right now.
We as a team struggled to break them down until towards the end of the game. Saka himself was really quiet until the goal aside from that shot in the first half. Both teams seemed content to contain and hit each other on the break as nothing was being created otherwise. Emery certainly knew how to set up against us and on another day could have left with a win against us.
Lukazan But it's just a slump he's in at the min. A decisive goal should shift that. I don't think he was bad today and he's clearly got Arteta's trust.
Could have even had a couple assists the other week and another today if Havertz finished that near post chance. I don't know if its by instruction (though I doubt anyone would do anything not being instructed by Arteta and live to play again) but I'd prefer he came inside more often rather than constantly going wide and trying to put crosses in with his weaker foot.
- Edited
That's exactly the issue. When Saka gets the ball, his first instinct is to turn centrally to see where Odegaard is and if they can work a combination to get in behind. If Odegaard isn't there, Saka will often cut inside and try to attack centrally with his stronger foot.
When Martinelli gets the ball, his first instinct is to start running into space down the flank. Not only does it not facilitate any opportunity to linkup with Rice and Havertz, he also ends up running into positions which force him to use his weaker foot.
He can still be very dangerous being released in behind whilst teams are chasing us so he can run towards goal, but when the defence is set, he needs a fundamental shift in how he's playing because as a right footed left winger, he should be carving opportunities which allow him to shoot and cross with his right and not this current incarnation which is him constantly running to the byline and crossing with his left.