‘Talent of the century’ Gabriel Martinelli exemplifies Arsenal’s new beast mode
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It was in October 2019 that Jurgen Klopp described Gabriel Martinelli as a “talent of the century” and, for a few years after that, it often felt like unwarranted praise. Martinelli showed plenty of promise, yes, but this time last year his influence was minimal compared to the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka.
Of the first 11 games in all competitions last season, Martinelli started only three of them. He was too raw, too wild, and Mikel Arteta had more reliable options at his disposal.
All of which goes to show that the development of a player is rarely straightforward. Different footballers mature at different times and the Martinelli of autumn 2022 is certainly a different beast to the player of 2021. ‘Beast’ being the operative word in the case of Martinelli, who hunts and dashes with an almost animalistic level of hunger.
On this kind of form, Martinelli is not only undroppable at Arsenal. He is also one of the Premier League’s most thrilling attackers. The Brazilian has started every match this season, in all competitions, and in this breathless meeting with Liverpool it was the 21-year-old who provided the greatest threat to Klopp’s defence.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has faced a few examinations of his defending this season, but none as intense as the one provided by Martinelli in the first half here. The forward surged behind Liverpool’s right-back for Arsenal’s opening goal, and then left both him and Jordan Henderson in a different footballing postcode for the home side’s second, scored by Saka at the back post.
On days like this it is the sheer relentlessness of Martinelli that makes him stand out. He plays with his foot to the floor at all times, hurtling into open space whenever possible, and he provides the direct thrust in an Arsenal team that can be otherwise thoughtful and patient.
Given his style of play, and Klopp’s stated preference for “heavy metal football”, it is little wonder that the Liverpool manager is such a fan. The “talent of the century” remark was just the first of many by Klopp, who has since added — often unprompted — that Martinelli is an “outstanding player” who will have a “proper career”.
Of all the eye-catching flourishes from Martinelli in this wonderfully chaotic match, it was a one-versus-one race with Liverpool’s Luis Diaz that was perhaps the most striking. A loose ball, around 30 yards away, and a straight dash to it. Diaz even had a small headstart, but Martinelli coursed past him like a racecar on the overtake. And Diaz is supposed to be one of the league’s quickest wingers.
Martinelli’s vibrancy and ferocity is the embodiment of Arteta’s Arsenal so far this season. There is a new sense of purpose to the team, and with that comes a new sense of what might be possible this year. The three points here put them back on top of the table, and ensured they passed perhaps the toughest test of their campaign so far.
The Brazilian’s running power and speed also provided a damning contrast with his opponents. He plays the game like Liverpool used to play the game, before the intensity was drained from their performances. Klopp’s side usually dominates Arsenal but here they did so for only for a brief spell in the first half, and they struggled for a foothold throughout the second.
Deep into stoppage time, with hearts pounding and legs aching, it was inevitably Martinelli who had the energy and willingness to dribble towards the corner flag, earning a valuable free-kick for his side. That summarised his drive, which is proving infectious for his team.
Against opponents of this calibre, and on afternoons as significant as this, you can almost feel Martinelli and Saka — scorer of two goals — maturing in front of your eyes. The boys are becoming men, right there on a patch of grass in north London, in front of thousands of increasingly smitten and excited supporters.
There is something stirring at the Emirates. You can feel it in the ground before, during and after the matches this season, and players like Martinelli are fuelling that renewed sense of belief. This was Arsenal’s day, and Martinelli was the man who, more than anyone else, made it possible.
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