MIKEL ARTETA’S consistent team selections have been a key feature of Arsenal’s title challenge this season.
The Spaniard has remained fiercely loyal to his first-choice XI to date and understandably so, given the Gunners are currently top the table with 51 points.
However, he now has a decision to make in regards to the left wing – one shared by a considerable chunk of Dream Team gaffers.
Gabriel Martinelli’s (£3.2m) flying start to the campaign was a key factor in Arsenal establishing themselves as genuine title contenders this term, something few would have predicted in the summer.
The 21-year-old scored three goals in his first five games as Arteta’s troops burst out of the blocks with five consecutive wins.
And the Brazilian commenced the post-World Cup restart in similar fashion with two goals in his first two outings having returned from Qatar.
However, his form has tailed off slightly in recent weeks, as evidenced by his Dream Team returns – two points from five games represents a significant drop-off from an asset who averaged almost five points-per-game throughout the first quarter of the season.
Martinelli’s dip in form has coincided with Leandro Trossard’s (£3.7m) arrival at the Emirates and the Belgium international has looked lively in a red shirt so far.
The 28-year-old scored Arsenal’s goal against Brentford on Saturday four minutes after replacing Martinelli and plenty of fans are calling for the January signing to start ahead of his younger team-mate for Wednesday night’s massive fixture against Manchester City at the Emirates.
It’s a big call for Arteta because his consistent team selections have largely been justified but with the Gunners having now failed to win in three games he will surely be tempted to make adjustments.
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A few 25-minute cameos may even do Martinelli some good.
He made his name as an impact substitute and so reverting to that role for a few weeks may help him rediscover the form he exhibited at the start of the season.
Arsenal have a game in hand on Pep Guardiola’s side but defeat in midweek would put the two sides level on points – there’s no denying the significance of the fixture.
Arteta has more reasons to remain loyal to Martinelli than Dream Team managers, who don’t have to worry about things such a team cohesion or player morale.
The youngster is now the 12th-best asset in his position having previously peaked at fourth among forwards.
Gaffers will be hard pressed to find a like-for-like replacement at the same value but with the top-bracket forwards providing so many points – Harry Kane (£8.2m), Marcus Rashford (£6.1m), etc – a restructure seems wise.
Martinelli may well be a smart option again later in the season but his returns in recent weeks have simply been way below par.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
