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Ian Wright ‘very surprised’ by Mikel Arteta decision on £6m Arsenal player
Ian Wright has given his verdict on Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s decision not to include Gabriel Martinelli in the starting lineup against Crystal Palace.
The Arsenal legend does not think that Arteta was right with his team selection against Palace in the London derby.
So, what has Ian Wright said about Gabriel Martinelli? Let’s take a look.
Ian Wright comments on Mikel Arteta decision on Gabriel Martinelli
Well, Arsenal eased past Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Gunners were expected to win the London derby, and Mikel Arteta’s side did not have any trouble at all in getting the job done.
Gabriel Martinelli scored twice for the North London club. The £6 million () Brazil international winger found the back of the net first in the fourth minute of injury time and then just a minute later.
Martinelli did not start the match for Arsenal. Arteta decided to start Leandro Trossard ahead of the Brazilian on the left side of the front-three.
The Belgian winger scored for Arsenal in the 59th minute and impressed Rio Ferdinand. Martinelli replaced him 10 minutes later.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright is shocked that Martinelli did not start the London derby for Arsenal.
quotes Wright as saying about Martinelli: “When you get someone like Gabriel Martinelli in that much space, the line was so high, I was very surprised he didn’t start.
“‘I’m quite pleased he came on and made the impact he did. [His first goal is] a very good finish. Very accurate. Brilliant, superb.
“[With the second goal] Palace are all over the place, the midfield is nowhere near it, look at how much space he has got. Can he finish? Yeah, he can.
“You’ve got to take advantage when teams are playing poorly like Palace were. You can really punish these teams.”
My View: Decision regarding Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard was sensible
In my view, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was right to start Leandro Trossard against Crystal Palace.
Gabriel Martinell is a regular on the left side of Arsenal’s attack, andTrossard also needs playing time.
After all, Arteta needs to make sure that all of his players get to play matches so that they can be sharp and always ready to come into the team at short notice.
Crystal Palace are not really a great side. Arsenal were always going to win the London derby, so playing Trossard ahead of Martinelli was not a risk and a sensible decison.
Trossard played well against Palace and got a goal. That would have helped him gain confidence and would have kept him sharp.