Gabriel Martinelli says he embraces competition for Arsenal place

Gabriel Martinelli has said he welcomes increased competition for a starting role in Arsenal’s front three following the club’s summer recruitment drive.

The club’s attacking options have been bolstered by a trio of high-profile additions, with Slovenia striker Viktor Gyökeres recruited from Sporting, Noni Madueke brought in from Chelsea, and winger Eberechi Eze signed from Crystal Palace. 

Both Madueke and Eze can operate in Martinelli’s preferred position along the left wing, where Mikel Arteta is also able to call on Leandro Trossard.

Limitations

While Martinelli has featured regularly for Arsenal under Arteta, his foremost attribute remains raw pace. His limitations were highlighted in the club’s defeat at Liverpool before the international break, where the 24-year-old, up against a makeshift right-back in Dominik Szoboszlai, might have been expected to make a more incisive contribution. 

Arsenal were reportedly open to selling the Brazil international this summer, with AC Milan among those to express interest, but potential suitors were deterred by the club’s £60m valuation.

Yet Martinelli, who vies with Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr for a spot on the left side of Brazil’s attack, is no stranger to fighting for his place and insists competition is a good thing for any team.

‘We’re happy for the club to be looking for the best players in the league’

“Regarding Arsenal, it’s like here in the national team,” said Martinelli. “If you ask me if it’s good to have Vini or Rodrygo in the national team, I’ll definitely say yes, because he’ll help the team to win titles. And if we want to win, we need quality players. 

“It’s the same with Arsenal. I’m very happy with Eze and Madueke’s arrival as well. Trossard also plays on the left side. We’re very happy when we have quality players by our side. We have a lot of matches in the season. A lot of things can happen, injuries etc. 

“So we’re happy for the club to be looking for the best players in the league so we can try to win.”

Arsenal host Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday lunchtime in what will be Ange Postecoglou’s first game in charge for the visitors.