Arsenal fans have Gabriel Martinelli theory after wondergoal in training

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Arsenal youngster Gabriel Martinelli burst onto the scene last season, netting ten goals and providing four assists in 26 appearances in all competitions.

However, his season was ended prematurely by a knee injury and he only returned to action in December.

Since then, Martinelli has struggled for game time, making just five Premier League appearances so far this season.

Speaking back in February, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said: "He wants to play all the time. We know him and he is disappointed when he is not playing.

"But you know that when you throw him on that pitch he is going to do his best. He had his opportunity last week against Benfica when I decided to substitute Aubameyang and give him some minutes.

"He needs to take his opportunity and if he plays he needs to perform like everybody else."

Although his opportunities have been limited since returning from injury, Martinelli offered a reminder of his quality in training on Tuesday when he scored an excellent goal.

The forward posted the clip on social media and some Arsenal fans have shared a theory that his lack of game time is because Arteta wants him to work on his finishing and views him as a long-term option as a central striker.

"It appears by the looks of it that Arteta wants him as a CF," one supporter theorised. "Makes sense that he isn't playing him currently then, you can't practice it at such an important stage of the season".

"This drill screams converting him to a ST" agreed a second. "This is why he hasnt been playing, they are working on him in a new role".

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    • Arteta has previously said he views Martinelli as a central striker, admitting last year that the reason the Brazilian had been playing predominantly out wide was because of the depth in his squad.

    Speaking after a 1-0 win over West Ham in March last year, he said: "[Aubameyang and Martinelli] are centre forwards but with the squad balance that we have at the moment, to play on those positions on the left we don’t have five players."

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    • Arsenal FC
    • Premier League

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