Champions League: Is Gabriel Martinelli Arsenal’s weak link in attack?

Gabriel Martinelli could be one of the key figures for Arsenal in Saturday’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, but his recent form raises questions about whether he will start. While PSG are expected to focus on danger men such as Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyökeres, Arsenal may feel more confident on their right side and more uncertain about the Brazilian winger’s impact on the left.

Martinelli endured a difficult spell in April and May, which prompted Mikel Arteta to favor Leandro Trossard on the left side of Arsenal’s attack. After a stronger performance against Crystal Palace last weekend, the 24-year-old may be handed back his place in the starting XI for the final. If that happens, he will need to be sharp from the opening moments and produce at a much higher level than he has shown in recent weeks.

His Premier League numbers this season have been modest: 30 appearances, one goal, and four assists. That is a notable drop from last season, when he scored seven more goals in 33 league matches. In the Champions League, his output has been better, with six goals and two assists in 13 games, but even that return still falls short of the expectations placed on a player of his quality and importance.

Since mid-April, Martinelli has struggled to consistently impose himself. Against Atlético de Madrid, he was unable to influence the game in a meaningful way, and during Arsenal’s semifinal ties it became difficult for the Gunners to rely on more than two goals across the two matches. In the second leg, he played only eight minutes, underlining how much his standing in the team has fluctuated during the most important part of the season.

Despite those difficulties, Martinelli remains a player with clear strengths. He is quick, a strong dribbler, and capable of combining with teammates through short passing to inject pace and movement into the final third. But his performances have lacked consistency, making him the most uncertain element in Arsenal’s attacking trio.

His situation is particularly interesting because he has been at Arsenal since 2019 and knows the club and Arteta’s demands well. At just 24, he is already an established figure in the squad and has shown he can respond to criticism, notably with a FA Cup hat-trick in January. Arteta has also continued to publicly praise his qualities, suggesting the winger still has a place in the manager’s plans.

He was decisive again last weekend with an assist against Crystal Palace, offering a reminder of his ability to contribute. Still, his starting place for Saturday is not guaranteed, and if he is selected, he will need to fight for every ball. There is also uncertainty over his long-term future at Arsenal, with rumors linking him to PSG.