Arsenal legend Paul Merson has urged Mikel Arteta to use Gabriel Martinelli as a centre-forward.
The Gunners parted company with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang late on in the January transfer window.
Arsenal also failed to bring in a replacement, Dusan Vlahovic snubbing the Gunners and joining Juventus.
Now they have just Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah at centre-forward.
RONALDO NEEDS TO STOP WHINING.
Meanwhile, Martinelli has largely plied his trade on the left wing during his time at Arsenal.
However, Arteta has used the 20-year-old up front on a dozen occasions before.
In addition, football.london recently reported how Martinelli has seemingly been working to improve centrally.
“At the NAS sport complex he was regularly seen alternating in the positions he played across the forward line,” wrote Kaya Kaynak.
“Running on to passes from Martin Odegaard and making near post runs more typical of a No. 9 than an inside forward.”
So there’s a good possibility that Arteta could indeed be looking to deploy Martinelli as a centre-forward.
“He’s bright, and he’s a good finisher”
Writing in the Daily Star, Merson is hoping that this is the case, calling for Arteta to let the Brazilian lead the line.
The Highbury icon believes Arsenal should look at Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the summer transfer window.
“Until then, I would give Gabriel Martinelli a go up front,” wrote Merson.
“You can’t rely on Alexandre Lacazette to get you goals. I would play Martinelli there.
“Take a chance on him. He’s very lively. Very quick. Defenders don’t like that.
“If he gets away from you, he’s in. He’s bright, and he’s a good finisher.
“He could be the superstar Arsenal are waiting for, and they play through the lines, they play delicate little balls that he thrives on. Give him a go.”
Martinelli has had to bide his time for regular game time at the Emirates following his outstanding maiden season.
He took his chance off the bench against Newcastle and hasn’t looked back, bagging four goals and two assists already.
Arsene Wenger famously turned Thierry Henry into a striker – a world-class one at that.
Could Arteta be looking to do the same with Martinelli?
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