‘He deserves it’: Some Arsenal fans want Mikel Arteta to start 19-year-old at West Ham

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A number of Arsenal fans have called on Gunners boss Mikel Arteta to name Gabriel Martinelli in the starting XI for their Premier League game on Sunday.

Arsenal travel across London to face West Ham in their last match before the international break.

The Gunners have numerous options in attack, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struggled in Thursday’s Europa League last-16 second-leg defeat to Olympiacos.

Aubameyang, normally so prolific, sent a great first-half chance over the bar and then failed to put away two close-range opportunities.

As well as those spurned chances, the Gunners captain’s hold-up play wasn’t great and he barely had a kick in the final third after the break.

Meanwhile, Martinelli has struggled for game time this season, with just nine senior appearances in all competitions under his belt, with a mere five starts.

The £6million Brazilian has mostly featured on the left wing in recent months, but some Arsenal fans reckon he’d be a great shout at No. 9, while others simply want to see him in the XI.

Here is what some fans have been saying on social media:

Martinelli joined Arsenal from Brazilian side Ituano FC in the summer of 2019 for £6million and has made 34 competitive appearances for the Gunners.

The 19-year-old was nothing short of superb in his debut season for Arsenal as he netted 10 goals in all competitions, including away at Liverpool as well as Chelsea.