Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 3-1 in the Premier League in midweek and despite playing only for the final quarter of the match, young Gabriel Martinelli was one of the standout performers for the Gunners.
The youngster has fallen down the pecking order at the club this season and despite the season coming to an end, the manager opted to keep him on the bench at Selhurst Park.
Gabriel Martinelli did come off the bench in the 78th minute to replace Thomas Partey and the 19-year-old did not disappoint as he went on to score a 91st-minute goal for the Gunners.
This goal helped tilt the match in Arsenal’s favour at 2-1 and then finally Nicolas Pepe wrapped things up with another goal in the 94th-minute.
The 15-odd minute on the pitch was enough for Gabriel Martinelli to showcase his talents once again and speaking after the match manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that he is getting closer to securing a regular spot in the starting line-up for Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta said after the match: “Very close[to getting a regular starting role]. He needs to keep fighting to be closer and closer.
“We need to understand where the boys are in the phase of their development and what they have done already this season and last season.
“I know that we want to play with 11 academy players under 20, but guys, who is doing that? We are doing more than anybody and they are going to have the chances, they are earning their chances, it’s not like we are giving the chances.
View this post on Instagram
“They are earning the chances and it’s a joy to have them with us.”
Gabriel Martinelli was improving in leaps and bounds last season but a series of injuries have since halted his progress and now, he is just not able to win back the confidence of his manager.
During the 2020-21 season, the 19-year-old has played in only 13 Premier League games, scoring 2 and assisting one goal. But with Aubameyang’s form dipping over the course of this campaign, there’s a very big chance that Martinelli could move up the pecking order next season.
Aubameyang has been really average this season and many people have urged Mikel Arteta to show him the exit doors during the summer and use a fresher and younger player in his place. We don’t think Arteta will have the courage to sell someone like Aubameyang this summer, especially with the kind of mess they are in right now but there’s no doubt that over the next few seasons, the Gabon international will turn into a fringe player.
And if Gabriel Martinelli can work hard enough then he can surely be the long-term replacement to the Arsenal superstar.
