Behind the Rise of Martinelli, Arsenal's New "Supersub"

Manager Mikel Arteta's remarks about the equality of roles between starting players and substitutes are beginning to be proven. In two consecutive matches, Arsenal has been saved by the actions of substitute players. The hero in question is forward Gabriel Martinelli, a player often deemed unworthy of a place in the starting eleven of the "Gunners" squad.

Arteta was incredibly fortunate. A mistake in his starting lineup against Manchester City was made up for with the right substitutions. Coming off the bench with 10 minutes remaining in normal time, Martinelli saved his manager's blushes with an injury-time equalizer.

The Brazilian national team player has once again proven himself after losing his starting position since returning from the international break. Four days earlier, from the bench, Martinelli also inspired Arsenal's 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League with one goal and one assist.

"He (Martinelli) is currently in a very good moment. Perhaps, he deserves more playing time. His energy and attitude are what enable him to contribute again to the team. We need that kind of consistency from players who are not starters, as the matches are very long," said Arteta.

Martinelli only needed 29 minutes from the bench to score two goals in the last two matches. Before the international break, he did not contribute any goals or assists while playing a total of 130 minutes as a starter. So, what distinguishes the player in his substitute version from the starting player?

Looking at the two goals, there are many similarities. First, Martinelli scored from a transitional situation, breaking an offside trap. After receiving the pass, he was left one-on-one with the opposing goalkeeper. All of this was aided by accurate long passes from Leandro Trossard (vs. Bilbao) and Eberechi Eze (vs. City).

His positioning is interesting to observe. Martinelli made movements in the central area, occupying the center forward position during the goal situation against Bilbao. In the match against City, his movements were almost similar. He filled the right wing area, then ran to penetrate the central area of the opponent's defense. Both goals came from penetrations in the central area.

It is clear that Martinelli is more comfortable operating in the central area compared to the wings. He can maximize his running speed and goal-scoring instincts. Unlike on the wings, the 24-year-old player does not thrive as he often hesitates in one-on-one duels. He is more adept at bypassing opponents with off-the-ball movement rather than with the ball.

The problem is that, all this time, Arteta has relied on Martinelli as a winger on the left side. He is tasked with maintaining width on the flanks to expand Arsenal's attacking space. The player rarely makes incursions into the central area. In fact, his original position when he was brought in from Brazil in 2019 was as a central striker.

Martinelli is not a pure striker or "number 9" like Viktor Gyokeres. He is more akin to a shadow striker suitable for a 4-4-2 formation or plays as a traditional winger who often makes runs off the ball into the penalty area. The problem is that this role does not fit into Arteta's scheme, which prioritizes game control.

This role is more suitable when the team is in full attack mode or desperately needs a goal, such as in the second half against Bilbao and City. According to former Arsenal striker Theo Walcott, Martinelli could be very useful this season. However, he must accept any role, including being a super sub.

“You can be disappointed or you can reflect and think: ‘how can I make an impact in this situation?’ This year, he has to accept that he will be in and out of the team, but he has certainly shown the right way so far because he is a hard worker and a tenacious person,” Walcott said on BBC Sport.

Many Arsenal players were interviewed about the fastest player in the team. The answer was always Martinelli. This advantage can certainly shine even more when Martinelli comes on in the second half. His fresh legs will punish opponents who are already fatigued, as seen in the last two matches.

Fortunately, Martinelli has not displayed a big ego thus far. He does not mind being deployed as a starter or a substitute. The player is aware that the competition within the Arsenal squad is currently very intense, particularly in the attacking line, which has seen the arrival of many stars, such as Eze and Noni Madueke.

According to Martinelli, his task is solely to focus on the field. "Of course, I do not want to be on the bench. I want to play 90 minutes, but I leave that to the manager. He knows what he is doing. I will just do my best to help this club," said the player wearing jersey number 11.

At this point, it's all a matter of perspective. Martinelli could be a mediocre starter or a superb substitute. In football history, there have been many players who seemed born to be supersubs, one of whom is former Arsenal striker Nwankwo Kanu. (AP/REUTERS)