Gabriel Martinelli: Dogged and Determined

[blaze_of_glory]

Thought he was poor today. Like I said before, his drop in form had little to do Nketiah and everything on him. He played with Trossard and Jesus today and was still frustrating.

Ok but he's been very good for the past few weeks so....

 

[RunTheTrap]

Ok but he's been very good for the past few weeks so....

Has he? I think his goals are papering over some cracks. I think his all-round game better before the World Cup.

 

[Rasmi]

He can’t beat players anymore. Doesn’t even try to take on fullbacks. What he is doing is taking no risks and hope a goal hides his lack of doing anything else. When he doesn’t score it becomes obvious he adds very little

 

[Rex Stone]

So the copium begins

 

[TornadoTed]

Still don't think we've really figured out how to utilise him best. Really think he'd be best as a narrow wing forward but too often he's far out in the wing

I think he would be better narrower but not going to happen with Zinchenko so often tucking into midfield. Saka and Martinelli need to have chalk on their boots with the way we play.

 

[Blood on the Tracks]

He was probably our best starter yesterday along with Gabriel.

He fought for absolutely everything from first minute to last. Was a constant threat and outlet on the left. Never stopped running.

PK was poor but it happens sometimes, look at Saka.

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

Penalty always down to luck and experience Martinelli never took Penalty in these kind of situation before i had feelings he'll miss.

He shouldn't worry he should get focused again and try get 15+ league goals.

 

[Trilly]

@Trilly spare him today imo.

I don't need to say anything

Most people are aware of the flaws in his game that at times it felt like only myself and Rex could see. Now that's out there there's no need for me to stick the knife in.

On a slightly separate note, people were clowning R10 for scoring goals against European 'farmers', what does that say about our forwards then, we've been impotent in Europe.

You guys do remember how the only goal we scored today came about? And remember how many times he bailed out our defence with a tackle to stop dangerous counters?

He did fine ffs. Jesus and Trossard literally did no better. In fact I’d say they were both worse. Saka didn’t do much after coming on. But hey, agenda mania etc etc. Lets all indulge @Rex Bezos wild fantasies and shovel on Martinelli.

Would have expected a better penalty from someone whose 'monster' mentality is always praised. Was really poor.

But...that's nitpicking tbh. Ramsdale was horrible. Big question marks for Arteta's cup performances as well.

 

[GDeep™]

Looked nervous on the penalty, knew he would miss. Doesn’t strike ball clean either it seems, most of the time.

 

[Trilly]

Looked nervous on the penalty, knew he would miss. Doesn’t strike ball clean either it seems, most of the time.

When he started bouncing the ball like a basketball with his fist I knew it wasn't looking good brav.

 

[db10_therza]

Would have expected a better penalty from someone whose 'monster' mentality is always praised. Was really poor.

DB10 had the nickname Iceman for his mentality. Also famous for missing a clutch penalty. It’s a stupid yardstick to judge a player against…

 

[RunTheTrap]

Along with AM ****ting on him for missing a pen

Wow this pic is kinda mad. I won’t say too much but I like to think the person behind Troll Football knows their history.

 

[Trilly]

Has he? I think his goals are papering over some cracks. I think his all-round game better before the World Cup.

He can’t beat players anymore. Doesn’t even try to take on fullbacks. What he is doing is taking no risks and hope a goal hides his lack of doing anything else. When he doesn’t score it becomes obvious he adds very little

Reminds me of when Auba was scoring goals but the general play wasn't benefitting the team. I stood up for Auba but A-M beat me into acknowledging that just scoring isn't good enough, in hindsight I have to admit that A-M was right, but now with Martinelli it's apparently fine again.

A-M playing favourites again

His goalscoring run has heavily been based on the good play of others...but he kind of sticks out as as the one in the front three who doesn't really enable others. I don't have an issue with a guy who just finishes his chances but our attack isn't set up for that kind of player (as we saw with Auba).

 

[Trilly]

DB10 had the nickname Iceman for his mentality. Also famous for missing a clutch penalty. It’s a stupid yardstick to judge a player against…

I don't think it is? You don't need to have monster mentality to be a top player tbh but scoring a clutch penalty is one of the clearest ways to demonstrate it.

It's not the fact he didn't score btw, it's how bad the penalty was. What else is that but the pressure getting to him?

This is me playing devil's advocate anyway, you already know my issues with him. I don't care about him missing a penalty.

 

[berric]

His criticism is a bit OTT I feel. Focal point in attack, racking up double digits at that age for current PL leaders is no small feat.

 

[El Duderino]

His goalscoring run has heavily been based on the good play of others...but he kind of sticks out as as the one in the front three who doesn't really enable others. I don't have an issue with a guy who just finishes his chances but our attack isn't set up for that kind of player (as we saw with Auba).

And there's nothing wrong with that, which is why I find it odd when people point out that he is an end product guy/vertical player and others think is a demerit.

He's not a Trossard/Gabi Jesus type that brings people into play and make others around him better so far in his career.

Said it before, he's a battering ram and should be played as such. That run in behind that led to the Xhaka goal, his last headed goal where he snuck up in the box, that's what you want him doing.

That's why having the option of an overlap is important to him when we're not playing Jesus. It allows him to drift in and out of central areas.

 

[El Duderino]

One good thing I'll point out is that he's been much more inteligent with his pressing. Just needs to stop overthinking a couple of decisions he's making on the pitch.

 

[Rasmi]

Reminds me of when Auba was scoring goals but the general play wasn't benefitting the team. I stood up for Auba but A-M beat me into acknowledging that just scoring isn't good enough, in hindsight I have to admit that A-M was right, but now with Martinelli it's apparently fine again.

A-M playing favourites again

His goalscoring run has heavily been based on the good play of others...but he kind of sticks out as as the one in the front three who doesn't really enable others. I don't have an issue with a guy who just finishes his chances but our attack isn't set up for that kind of player (as we saw with Auba).

It was obvious he was gonna miss last night. If the 4 shooters we had he is a level below them technically

 

[db10_therza]

I don't think it is? You don't need to have monster mentality to be a top player tbh but scoring a clutch penalty is one of the clearest ways to demonstrate it.

It's not the fact he didn't score btw, it's how bad the penalty was. What else is that but the pressure getting to him?

This is me playing devil's advocate anyway, you already know my issues with him. I don't care about him missing a penalty.

What I’m saying is that the sample size is too small… IMO Martinelli is our best finisher in 1v1 situations, and that’s based on a big sample size.

Tbf, you do have a point in that when it comes to finishing I think he’s at his best when he’s not thinking about it. Bit like Walcott, which is a comparison that has been made before as well. Penalty is pretty much the exact opposite of that.

 

[BigPoppaPump]

I knew some people on here would be celebrating his penalty miss but I think he’ll bounce back from this. One he peaks he’ll be world class he’s got the skills.