Is Nico Williams actually a Martinelli replacement?

Is Nico Williams actually a Martinelli replacement?

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In recent transfer windows, Arsenal have been linked with supposed left-wing upgrades, and this is the case now as well. Failed bids for Mudryk and last summer allegedly Nico Williams certainly support the view of many, that Arteta wants a Martinelli upgrade. Indeed, our new transfer guru, Andrea Berta, has reportedly met with the Athletic Bilbao star’s agent about a move to North London this summer.

Our fanbase also seem very keen on the idea of adding genuine pace in wide areas, particularly after some key injuries, showed us what this team looked like without any. From my own perspective, I had, until recently shared the view that Martinelli has not improved enough and had perhaps even regressed. Earlier in the season, and at the tail end of the last campaign, I felt Trossard offered us more, even without the speed of the Brazilian.

However, my opinion has changed on Martinelli, and I now believe that any new winger to arrive this summer with need to fight to oust Gabi or share game time with him. As we have seen with both our big money additions last summer, Calafiori and Merino, becoming a starter for Arteta is not a given in the least.

A big two-footed future? Credit: Arsenal.com

So, what has happened with our popular Brazilian to make me reconsider. Very simply, Martinelli, whether by personal choice or my coaching pressure, has begun to use his left foot. My issue with the player, was, because of the way Arteta sets up, giving Saka licence to roam on the right but expecting the left winger to retain full width, Martinelli’s effectiveness was being limited. Every full back in the league knew that 9 times out of 10, despite receiving the ball on the touchline, Gabi would look to cut inside on to his favoured right foot. Even when he did beat his full back once, that defender knew he would get a second chance when Martinelli looked to turn back on to his right.

It frustrated the hell out of me to see our fastest player able to beat his fullback with such ease using genuine pace to then continually failed to deliver a timely cross. Even when beating his man, a second time to get on to his favourite foot, the delay or the worse angle meant numerous missed opportunities each match. Don’t get me wrong, I understand inverted wingers are the norm in modern football but being two-footed to some degree at least adds so much and in Gabi’s case we are beginning to see evidence of this.

3 years ago, Martinelli and Saka were at similar levels. The Brazilian has supplanted Smith Rowe and our 2 wingers looked fresh and exciting. In the following  years however, Saka progressed into the undisputed world class winger he is today, and Martinelli stagnated, which has seen his position threatened by Trossard and by potential new signings for his position.

It may sound simplistic, but it is my belief that what took Saka to the new elevated plateau was his increased use of his right foot. Yes, we all know that Bukayo can cut inside and unleash his favoured left foot to devastating effect. So, if we know it, surely defenders know it too, but they frequently fail to stop him. Why? Because unlike Gabi, our Star Boy can go on the outside as well and deliver into the box or shoot with his right. Who will ever forget his right foot volley screamer in the middle of his hattrick versus Macedonia. The new confident two-footedness took Saka to a new level and makes his incredibly hard to defend against. In short, Saka became a full back’s worst nightmare, while Martinelli became predictable and easy to defend against.

Gabi learning from Bukayo. Credit: Stuart MacFarlane/ Arsenal.com

Against Fulham last week, Martinelli for me, was our best performer  and this was because he varied his line of attack so well. Giving Castagne and Diop a torrid time by continually switching between cutting inside and beating Castagne on the outside and crossing with his LEFT foot. Admittedly the accuracy is wayward at present but if he keeps doing it and works with his left on the training pitch, this will come. I have delightedly watched this development, which began before his hamstring injury, and if Gabi perseveres with his left foot, he too can move to the higher level, that Saka and other 2-footed wingers have attained.

So, in answer to the question posed in my title, I truly believe that Martinelli can retain his place and resist the competition from Nico Williams, or another new signing, IF he continues to push himself on his weaker foot. I, for one, would love to see him further evolve and the thought of having 2 two-footed wingers keeping both opposition full backs guessing, is mouth-watering.

I plan to get back to writing my column more regularly with the self-discipline of keeping the articles short and punchy, at around 800 words. Let me know in the comments or @goonerdave66 on the socials if there is a place for this. Until next time.

Dave Seager

Passionate fifty-something Arsenal supporter who has been making the journey to N5 regularly since the early 1980s – although his first game was in 1976. Always passionate when talking about The Arsenal, Dave decided to send a guest blog to Gunnersphere in the summer of 2011 and has not stopped writing about the Gunners since.

He set up his own site – 1 Nil Down 2 One Up – in February 2012, which he moved on in 2016 to concentrate on freelance writing and building Gunners Town, which he launched with Paul in 2014.

The objective of GT was to be new and fresh and to give a platform for likeminded passionate Arsenal fans wishing to write about their team. Dave still of course, writes for the site himself and advises the ever-changing writing crew.