‘I’m sure’: Mikel Arteta could now play ‘special’ Arsenal man up-front while Gabriel Jesus is out – journalist

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Mikel Arteta could now play Gabriel Martinelli up-front for Arsenal while Gabriel Jesus is out, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Both Jesus and Martinelli were named as part of Brazil’s 26-man squad for the World Cup. The Arsenal duo have been limited in terms of their involvement at the tournament but Jesus did make his first start against Cameroon last week.

But it came at a huge cost for Arsenal as the 25-year-old picked up a knee injury during the 1-0 defeat. ESPN reports that Jesus could be facing up to three months on the sidelines after Arsenal confirmed his injury.

Arteta does have a back-up option in Eddie Nketiah but it seems that could be thinking about the idea of playing Martinelli up-front instead.

Arteta could play Martinelli up-front

Journalist Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport that Martinelli could play as a striker for Arsenal while Jesus is out.

“I’m sure Martinelli could play it, but the question would be, ‘do they want him to play that role every week when he’s been so good in different a different position?’,” he said.

“Ultimately, Arsenal probably want to have players that are flexible in what they can do.”

Martinelli has been in brilliant form for the Gunners this season while playing off the left-hand side of Arteta’s front-three.

Arsenal will miss Jesus’ impact on the team massively but Arteta will have to find a solution. Nketiah has proven he can score goals after his run in the side at the end of last season.

But the youngster simply won’t be able to provide the quality Jesus has brought to the Emirates.

Martinelli certainly seems to have the required skill set to lead the line for Arsenal but that may leave Arteta with a lack of options on the left-hand side.

The Gunners may be forced to dip into the market in January and fears over their attacking depth could now come to the forefront.