Arsenal are looking to bounce back in the Premier League with a win after their last outing in the top flight. The Gunners were able to snatch a last-minute draw from the jaws of defeat against Manchester City last Sunday at the Emirates Stadium.
It was a sublime equaliser, too. Gabriel Martinelli’s excellent finish saw him lob new City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to earn a point for Mikel Arteta’s side. They have since played a game, with Arsenal running out 2-0 winners over Port Vale in the Carabao Cup in midweek.
Now, with a trip to Newcastle awaiting Arteta’s side, it will be fascinating to see if Martinelli can get into the starting lineup.
Where Martinelli could play against Newcastle
24-year-old Martinelli has had a curious season so far for the Gunners. He’s played 252 minutes across all competitions, totalling six appearances. In that time, he’s bagged two goals and set up another.
The strike against City was a prime example of how clinical he can be in front of goal. It was a perfectly-weighted lob over Italy’s number one Donnarumma, following a well-timed run in behind the Citizens’ defence.
It’s the second time this season that the Brazilian attacker has chipped in with goal involvements off the bench. His strike against City followed a goal and an assist as a substitute against Athletic Club in the Champions League. Again, they were decisive moments, with Arsenal running out 2-0 winners that day.
His form leaves Arteta with a huge decision to make. Does he keep Martinelli as a weapon off the bench or reward him with a start? That could even be in a fresh role as a number nine, replacing Viktor Gyokeres. Against City, the Swede put in a 3/10 performance and ‘stuck out like a sore thumb’, according to Goal journalist Sean Walsh.
So, bringing Martinelli into the lineup as a striker is a real option for Arteta. However, he might not be the only Gunners star given a new role against the Magpies.
The other Arsenal player given a fresh role
One of the biggest benefits of Arsenal’s current squad is the versatility on offer to Arteta. The Spaniard can, for example, play Noni Madueke on either wing when fit, Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back or in midfield, and Martinelli on the flank or up top.
Well, in a similar mould, he has Eberechi Eze available to him. The England international can play out wide or in midfield, and it is the latter role in which he could operate at St James’ Park this Sunday.
The former Crystal Palace star has already played centrally this season for his new side. He played there against City for 45 minutes, after coming off the bench at the start of the second half and from the start against Port Vale.
Against Pep Guardiola’s side, it was his excellent pass over the top that set Martinelli up, and against Port Vale, he bagged his first Arsenal goal.
Eze is yet to play that role from the start in the Premier League for the Gunners. However, there is no guarantee that Martin Odegaard will be fit to play from the start.
If Arteta is looking for a player to execute the club captain’s role to a high standard, Arsenal’s number 10 could be the man. After all, he is a true “maestro” in midfield, according to Statman Dave and has already been compared to Dennis Bergkamp.
Not only does the England star have experience playing there before, but some of his numbers from last season show how similar a player he is. For example, Eze created an average of 2 chances and won 5.7 duels, compared to Odegaard’s 2.4 chances created and 2.9 successful duels per 90 minutes. He will maintain quality on the ball and add defensive nous off it.
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Eze & Odegaard key stats 24/25 PL compared |
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|---|---|---|
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Stat (per 90) |
Eze |
Odegaard |
|
Goals and assists |
0.6 |
0.6 |
|
Chances created |
2 |
2.4 |
|
Take-ons completed |
2.4 |
1 |
|
Fouls won |
1.8 |
0.9 |
|
Duels won |
5.7 |
2.9 |
|
Stats from Squawka |
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With all that considered, it certainly makes sense for Arteta to unleash Eze in this fresh role against Newcastle on Sunday. He’d be able to create chances to a similar level as Odegaard in those central areas.
After he played so well in midfield against Port Vale, it could well be an excellent move to unleash the England star from the same area against the Magpies in what will be a fresh role for him from the start for Arsenal in the league this season, having started on the left flank previously.
