Through misfortune, Mikel Arteta may have finally unlocked the untapped potential of Gabriel Martinelli.
The hamstring injury suffered by Bukayo Saka, who is so, so crucial to Arsenal, cannot be papered over. But, after Martinelli’s Saturday night showing, Arteta’s right-wing replacement for the coming weeks is clear-cut.
Once Saka needed to come off in the 24th minute, Arteta played substitute Leandro Trossard on the left flank and shifted Martinelli out to the right.
This change seemed to bring back a rawness to the Brazilian’s game which has been rarely seen since the 2022-23 season, in which he struck 15 Premier League goals.