Arsenal are set to travel to Manchester City on Sunday in a crucial game in the Premier League title race, but may be missing Gabriel Martinelli.
The winger missed Arsenal’s last two games, as well as International duty with Brazil, with a cut in his foot, and he still remains a doubt for the game at the weekend.
This would be a huge blow for Mikel Arteta, and it is clear that despite Martinelli’s inconsistent form in front of goal, that Arsenal are a better attacking unit with him in the side.
Leandro Trossard has impressed in a central role, but when he replaces Martinelli on the wing, he cannot replicate his raw speed, and this often leads to a negative impact on the team as a whole.
Should Martinelli be missing on Sunday, Arsenal may be better off using a different option on the left wing.
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Arteta told to start Gabriel Jesus over Leandro Trossard vs Man City
Speaking on Charles Watts’ YouTube channel, journalist James Benge claimed that former Man City star Gabriel Jesus would be a better pick than Trossard on the left wing, if Martinelli is missing.
“If Martinelli’s fully fit he goes in my team. I don’t like normally talking about the sort of narratives about players being up for games, but I don’t believe that Gabriel Jesus wouldn’t be up for this game,” he stated.
“I think he gives you so much work down the wings and through the middle, wherever he’s played, and that could be very, very valuable.
“I’m not saying Trossard doesn’t, I just think that Jesus, in this game, will run himself ragged, and I would really like to see that.”
Gabriel Jesus should start vs Man City if Martinelli cannot
Given that Jesus is still returning to full fitness after suffering injury problems, and that Kai Havertz has found his form as a centre-forward, the German should start in a striker role at the Etihad Stadium.
However, if Martinelli is absent, the only player who can offer a similar level of pure speed is Reiss Nelson, and given that he has hardly been trusted by Arteta all season, it seems highly unlikely that he would be thrown in now.
Jesus started on the wing in Arsenal’s victory over City in October, and was one of the best players on the pitch. His work rate and tenacity could come in useful against his former club, whilst his technical brilliance will allow Arsenal to hold the ball further up the pitch.
Trossard’s inconsistent form on the wing, which saw him struggle against Porto despite scoring, means that Jesus should now be picked ahead of him in the position to give Arsenal the best chance of a crucial victory.