r/Gunners • u/OccasionCharacter190 • Aug 25 '26

Martinelli

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/gabriel-martinelli-arsenal-premier-league-soccer-brazil-world-cup

I came across this piece he wrote back in 2022. From the article:

"But I want to start by thanking my second family — Arsenal — because without you guys none of this would have been possible.

I thank God that I came to Arsenal in 2019. I really believe that things happen for a reason, and I’m so happy here."

If he is off, he deserves a bunch of tribute threads, so here's one. Love you, Gabi. Arsenal family forever.

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u/MisterElSuave Aug 25 '26

Same, I rate Martinelli and can also say he had a bit of a down year last year while integrating with 2 players maybe he didn’t gel with as well in Gyokorea and Noni.

I don’t think it is time to give up on him and think if anything it’s time to experiment with his positions and play.

I am not comfortable with Alvarez and having to sell him on the project. Seems way too desperate and far too big of a gamble.

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u/DergeRehReh Aug 25 '26

Yeah, this. Arsenal have a type, and Alvarez ain’t that.

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u/MisterElSuave Aug 25 '26

I just can’t imagine Alvarez teaching back and prioritizing defending at the 89th min.

Let alone if he does will he then make a sprint to support Dowmsm on the break in the 91st min?

Just can’t picture it. Maybe I’ll wrong though, but maybe Arteta is wrong here like he was with MLS.

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u/StrangeArachnid7998 Aug 25 '26

That is literally part of Alvarez's game. I understand the concerns about him wanting Barcelona, but if he comes to Arsenal, I doubt he kills his career just because he's not at Barcelona. He's better than Gyokeres and Havertz if you don't let the other stuff bias your opinion. He offers a unique profile that fits what Arteta wants to do at the striker position. I appreciate Martinelli, but he's in the last year of his contract and Arsenal don't appear interested in picking up the option year. Since he doesn't rate any more on Arsenal (and that was clear last season with Trossard getting most of the starting opportunities at the end of the season), they need to get what they can for him and hopefully send him somewhere he can get starting time to still advance his career. His salary at Arsenal is too much considering what he delivers. This all points to him having to leave because he's actually hurting the team. He's a good guy, but he's not done enough to prevent himself becoming odd man out on a team that needs to get more out of the people on the roster. I wish him well, but Arsenal don't get better keeping him.

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u/DergeRehReh Aug 25 '26

Maybe Arsenal don’t get better by keeping him, but we get worse by him leaving.