Mikel Arteta gives advice to Gabriel Martinelli after Arsenal victory

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has told Football London that Gabriel Martinelli has to continue working hard in order to get into the Arsenal team.

The youngster was once again an unused substitute for the fifth successive game in the Premier League as the Gunners beat Leicester 3-1.

Martinelli has made just five appearances in the top-flight this season, with just three coming in the way of starts.

(Photo; Stuart MacFarlane; Arsenal FC; Getty Images)

After 10 goals and four assists last season it was anticipated that he’d be a big player during 2020/21. Since recovering from an ankle problem he has found regaining his shirt difficult, however.

The Arsenal boss was quizzed on the 19-year-old after yesterday’s good victory and he had some advice for the striker.

Arteta told Football London: “He needs to keep working and make things difficult for us. He’s a player who’s going to give us a lot but he needs some time and we need to find the right games for him to give us what we need on the pitch.”

TBR View: Arteta comments a worry for Martinelli

It’s a bit of a double-edged sword but Arteta’s stance on Martinelli might not bode well in the short-term.

The youngster will be desperate to get back out on the pitch but in giving him some advice, it would perhaps suggest he’s not quite doing enough in training.

Arsenal have hit a bit of form at the moment and Arteta might not fancy upsetting the apple cart with regards to his selection.

(Photo; Chloe Knott; Danehouse; Getty Images)

The £90,000-a-week ace can clearly play and he enjoyed a quality campaign during 2019/20.

Being able to play out wide should help him get more opportunities and it’ll be interesting to see what Arteta’s plans are for the youngster.