The season has gotten to a point where Arsenal have to make every game count. It's already bad enough that we have dropped off the pace compared to last season, but the good thing is we're still within grasp of the title.
With Saka out until at least March, Arteta needs to find a way to play on that right wing and and playing Martinelli there is far from the solution.
A lot has been said about how Martinelli has failed to hit his form of two seasons ago where he and Saka were arguably our two best players and that performance against Ipswich was just a summary of how his season has been, and I don't think he's the makeshift for Saka.
Despite his ability, the Brazilian has failed to get creative with his play. Being direct is good, however, for the kind of game Arsenal play, sometimes, you need to move away from the norm, which he has struggled to do. While Arsenal weren't at their utmost against Ipswich, I think Martinelli wasn't ver convincing in that role.
Sterling in my opinion is a no-no. I still question what his signing was for. Anyway, being out injured already rules him out. I'd prefer playing either Trossard and Jesus on that right side or better still, try a system that won't rely so much on production from that flank; which may be the more difficult or riskier option at this time.
Yes, Jesus has found his form in front of goal in the last few games, his ability on the ball could prove vital for us on that wing, same with Trossard. The Belgian's ability to go either foot (like Saka) is better on that side than having Martinelli who would only want to hug the touchline.
There's no margin for error at this pint in the season and with City now finally getting a win, the run in might be more competitive than thought.
Yes pls.
The reason was said here just 24hrs ago, then when someone said he doesn't think Saka was overused, I fired back:
"Well I do not guess that his young age justifies that kind of use(overuse actually). Yamal of Barca wasn't flogged nearly as much as Saka now he's out.
"Infact, the term "overuse" already means that a comparison has been made amongst his age mates in other teams. Comparison is not done blindly too. For example you can't just say Eden Hazard plays same minutes as a certain player, so Hazard shouldn't complain since the player isn't complaining. Meanwhile,it is true that Hazard is fouled much more than that player.
"What I mean is that included in the comparison is the fact that Saka faces lots of tackles.
"The result of the comparison is that he was overused. If you don't agree, sorry.
"It's harder to get a striker in January than a winger. So yeah it's very possible in January to get a proper deputy for Saka, easy stuff.
"The issue is if Arteta will be willing. I think Martinelli's performance on the right is a great help to Arteta to buy in January.
"Secondly, no one in Arsenal– including Arteta– wants to go through what Arsenal went through recently(this season) that victories where hard to cone by. The left wing is not yet properly sorted out, so Arteta knows he can't afford to experiment with the right, especially as smaller teams will drop deep. And I said something about Odegaard."