Paul Scholes has voiced concerns about Gabriel Martinelli’s development under Mikel Arteta, suggesting the Brazilian forward has “gone backwards” compared to his earlier promise.
The former Manchester United midfielder also highlighted Arsenal’s need for more goal contributions from their midfield if they are to challenge Liverpool for the Premier League title this season.
Martinelli was one of Arsenal’s key players during the 2022/23 season, scoring 15 goals across all competitions. However, the Brazilian international struggled to maintain that form, managing only eight goals last season and just four in 22 appearances this term.
Speaking during the latest episode of The Overlap Fan Debate, Scholes and Jamie Carragher discussed the winger’s recent dip in form, with Scholes remarking that Martinelli appears to have stalled in his progress.
Concerns Over Martinelli’s Form
Jamie Carragher noted that Martinelli, once considered on par with Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard, hasn’t matched their trajectory.
“Three years ago, it seemed like Ødegaard, Saka, and Martinelli were all on the same level,” Carragher said. “The other two have progressed, but I’m not sure about Martinelli.”
Scholes echoed Carragher’s sentiment, stating, “It feels like he’s gone backwards a little. A year or 18 months ago, you’d have thought, ‘Wow, what a player.’ But now, he seems to have stalled. He’s young, though, and there’s time to improve.”
Midfield’s Lack of Goal Contributions
Beyond Martinelli, Scholes pointed out a lack of goal-scoring contributions from Arsenal’s midfield. He questioned whether Declan Rice could consistently add 10-15 goals per season, while players like Kai Havertz and Ødegaard have yet to hit their expected strides.
“To win a league, everyone has to contribute,” Scholes explained. “Midfielders can’t just focus on controlling games and defending; they need to affect the outcome of matches. Arsenal’s midfield isn’t stepping up enough in that regard.”
The football legend also emphasized the importance of collective responsibility, urging Arsenal’s players to take more decisive actions if they hope to dethrone Liverpool in the title race.
Arsenal fans will undoubtedly hope Martinelli and the midfield step up their performances as the season progresses. For now, questions remain about whether the Gunners have the depth and firepower needed to secure Premier League glory.