Martin Keown, a former Arsenal player has urges Mikel Arteta, to include Martinelli who has been on the fringes of the squad, in the starting lineup for the upcoming match against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Gunners are set to face their north London rivals on Sunday, with the opportunity to extend their lead over Manchester City to four points before Pep Guardiola‘s side takes on Nottingham Forest later in the day.
The key to it will be starting the pace Martinelli, though he has fallen out of favour recently – with Leandro Trossard playing excellently – and the Brazilian has not started a Premier League match since March 4 against Sheffield United.
Keown
‘It is extremely unlikely that Tottenham will change their tactics for this one,’
‘They are a team who prioritise attacking over defending, even when they go down to nine men!
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‘Ange Postecoglou’s philosophy is to push players up the pitch and that inevitably leaves a high defensive line.
‘That was dismantled in Tottenham’s last game by Newcastle’s lightning-fast forwards and, with that in mind,
Arteta may pick Gabriel Martinelli to make his first Premier League start in nearly two months.
‘His pace could be vital on the left alongside the speed of Bukayo Saka on the right, and they will be capable of latching on to Martin Odegaard’s balls in behind.’
Keown advises Arsenal to learn from Everton’s approach in the recent Merseyside derby, where they capitalized on a hostile atmosphere and displayed physicality and aggression to defeat Liverpool 2-0, denting their title hopes.
‘Mikel Arteta’s team cannot let themselves get caught up in the chaos like Liverpool did at Everton.’
‘They have to stay calm, concentrate, trust their tactics, display their football, and, above all, win to keep distance between them and their competition.’
Liverpool’s dominance has waned, making the Premier League battle primarily between Arsenal and Manchester City.
A victory for Arteta’s men on Sunday would intensify the pressure on Guardiola’s side.
