Mikel Arteta says Gabriel Martinelli is doing all he can to get Arsenal chance

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Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has said that Gabriel Martinelli is doing all he can to be selected for the first-team after missing out in recent weeks.

The young Brazilian is still seen as one of the most highly-rated talents at the club. However, in recent times and despite returning from injury, Arteta has opted against selecting him.

But speaking in his press conference today, Arteta says Martinelli is doing things right, it’s just a case of him not being selected for now.

“If anything it’s my fault, he has done everything perfect, he trains incredibly well every day, his attitude cannot be any better, he is disappointed he is not playing more obviously and I have spoken to him,” Arteta said.

“But he needs to be a little bit patient. He had some minutes, he had some games as well and it’s true the competition for the front positions is very tough but he needs to be patient and he will get his chance.”

Martinelli has made just the five appearances this season in the Premier League, with another handful across the other competitions Arsenal find themselves in. The January arrival, too, of Martin Odegaard, plus the emergence of Emile Smith-Rowe, have all counted against the Gunners starlet.

TBR View: Martinelli one for the future, Arteta is right preaching patience

Nobody, including Mikel Arteta, is under any illusions as to how good Martinelli is and can be.

But for now, Arsenal are doing pretty well and Arteta is finding a balance at the moment with Odegaard and Smith-Rowe in the same team, so there’s no reason why Martinelli would be thrown in.

He will, of course, get his chance eventually. But for now, Arteta is correct in that the youngster needs to keep patient.