With Arsenal currently playing in such a positive way and earning a healthy league position, just three points from second place in the league, it is difficult to argue that players on the fringes need to be given more time.
Mikel Arteta appears to have his best Arsenal eleven fairly settled barring the dynamic between Alexandre Lacazette and Martin Odegaard for the slot behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. This is in addition to the forthcoming choice that will need to be made between Nuno Tavares and Kieran Tierney at left-back.
This, therefore, means there has been very little opportunity for many of the regular benchwarmers to gain minutes. Especially due to the absence of any European group stage games.
Gabriel Martinelli is one such player. The Brazilian signed under Unai Emery burst onto the scene despite all the odds reaching double figures for goals in his first season across all competitions.
However, a significant knee injury at the start of the pandemic cost him dearly and he missed much of Mikel Arteta’s early tenure at the club.
He returned at the start of 2021 to much anticipation but gradually Emile Smith-Rowe’s establishment on the left-hand side for the Gunners has seen Martinelli limited to just League Cup starts and cameo substitutions at the end of games.
In a recent interview, his father has spoken out about his son’s links to the Brazilian side Corinthians and his current situation at Arsenal.
"There is no chance of him going to Corinthians or any other Brazilian club,” said Joao Martinelli.
"Since he came back from an injury, he's been playing a lot less than he would have liked. They even painted some proposals from Europe, but Arsenal has already warned that they will not release him.
"People like him a lot. Not only for what he plays but also for his dedication. Martinelli is almost always the first to arrive for training and the last to leave."
With the lack of regular minutes, concerns are growing that Arsenal could be experiencing yet another Serge Gnabry episode.
The now German international and Bayern Munich star failed to get back into Arsene Wenger’s regular plans having suffered himself a serious knee injury followed by a disappointing loan at West Bromwich Albion.
He left the club having rejected a contract proposal for Werder Bremen before eventually joining up with the German title dominators. He returned to north London with Bayern to score four against Tottenham Hotspurs to both the delight and regret of the Gunners faithful.
Arsenal fans will now be hoping not to feel similar emotions should Martinelli end up leaving in search of regular football.
Technical director Edu needs to ensure that any interest is firmly batted away and the comments from Martinelli's father thankfully indicate this appears to be the case.
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