Gabriel Martinelli scored two goals in the side's 4-1 win away at Leeds United. But, with a lack of forward options to rotate between, especially after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was ousted from the squad due to disciplinary issues.
This all could lead to Martinelli being overplayed. But Arsenal fans are warning he doesn't fall into a trap.
The Arsenal Way's presenter and writer Bailey Keogh (BK) spoke with editor Hush Kerai (HK) on Monday morning’s Arsenal Agenda show about why Mikel Arteta should avoid playing the Brazillian international...
HK: “I think Smith Rowe needed, not to be rotated but he just needed a bit of a breather. He played pretty much every game of the season. It kind of feels like Bukayo might need a game where he gets taken out of the team.
“Because these guys play hard and the style they play in. Especially Gabi and Bukayo, they get kicked to shreds. It’s a good thing, it just gives Arteta room to tinker with it just a little bit.
“It’s easy to forget that they might be playing maturely. But, he’s a young boy with a growing body. We’ve seen countless examples down the years there’s been examples of Wayne Rooney with Manchester United and Cesc Fabregas with us and Fernando Torres across Liverpool and Atletico Madrid.
“Top, world-class footballers who beyond 25 or 26-years of age have completely re-imagined their game. Because physically they can’t cope. I’m getting a bit far ahead of myself with those types of comparisons.
“That treatment and nurturing needs to happen at this stage. Martinelli looks set for a new deal and with that will come a big expectation on his appearances, like we have seen from Smith Rowe this season. Bukayo is a good example of the danger. He’s had two years of playing pretty much every game.
“For England, the biggest matches and most scrutiny, while having really rough treatment on the pitch from the opposition. If he continues that for the next five or six years he won’t be dribbling, pushing and that type of player still - it will take its toll.
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