Gabriel Martinelli must learn to ‘suffer’ my decisions, says Mikel Arteta

Gabriel Martinelli has scored just once this term (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says Gabriel Martinelli must leave his ‘ego and anger’ to one side if he’s to have a future at the club.

The Brazilian burst onto the scene last season, scoring ten goals in 26 appearances for the Gunners during his debut campaign for the club.

However, Martinelli has been limited to just three Premier League starts this term and he’s scored once in his 15 appearances in all competitions.

Arteta’s handling of the talented Brazilian has puzzled supporters, who felt the 19-year-old would become a first team regular this term.

But the Spaniard says he wants to see more maturity from Martinelli before he becomes a regular, with Arteta suggesting that the forward’s ‘ego’ has hindered his development.

Arteta wants more maturity from Martinelli (Photo by TIM KEETON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

‘He came back in [in December] & he had an impact but there were still a lot of things that we had to work on with him. He needs time. He is so willing & so anxious that it can block his development sometimes as well,’ said Arteta.

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‘Sometimes he won’t understand my decisions but the only reason I make those is to help him, so when he gets the chance to sprint, he can sprint & when he falls, he goes again. I want a long run with him, not just a short one & he’s in a better place now.

‘There are a few things that have to be better & one of those is to manage when he doesn’t play. You have to know how to suffer when you are on the bench. You have to be able to swallow that, all your ego & anger, all your willingness to play the game.’

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