‘I’m ready’: £90k-a-week Arsenal star overlooked by Mikel Arteta sends him a message

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Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has sent out a message to Gunners boss Mikel Arteta by telling ESPN he’s “ready” to play.

The 19-year-old, who joined Arsenal from Brazilian side Ituano FC in the summer of 2019 for £6million, has impressed since his arrival in North London.

Last season, Martinelli weighed in with 10 goals, becoming the first teenage goalscorer to reach double figures for Arsenal since Nicolas Anelka in 1998-99, plus four assists.

A long-term knee injury ruled him out for several months but he was back in action by December.

However, Mikel Arteta has seldom used Martinelli in recent weeks, keeping him on the bench against West Brom, Southampton, Wolves and Aston Villa.

Arteta has opted for Nicolas Pepe and Bukayo Saka on the flanks alongside Alexandre Lacazette up front in the last two games.

However, Martinelli still wasn’t called upon off the bench, with Arteta’s decision to bring Willian on against Villa proving controversial amongst supporters.

The Brazilian insists his fitness issues are now behind him and he is ready to make his mark in the second half of the season.

“I’m very timid. It was really crazy! But now I’m adapted,” Martinelli told ESPN as he reflected on his rise from Ituano to Arsenal.

“I’m feeling very good. I don’t feel any more pain on my knee and this is the most important thing. I’m ready (to play) when Mikel needs me.”

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Arsenal are currently very well stocked in attack, with the likes of Martinelli, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Pepe, Lacazette and Saka all serious contenders for the flanks and up front.

The right side, in particular, has been cemented by Saka, while the left is currently being contested by Pepe and Aubayemang alongside Martinelli.

Could the £90,000-a-week ace be given a chance up front to give Lacazette a breather, or perhaps come on a replacement for Saka later on in the game? At present, it’s a bit of a headache for Arteta.