Gabriel Martinelli came in for some criticism for his performance against Wolves on the opening day of the season, but Mikel Arteta kept faith with the Brazilian for what, based on last year, was set to be a huge test for the Gunners.
Martinelli saw plenty of the ball during the first-half at Villa Park. However, he was unable to really make things happen, even after Unai Emery had been forced to replace Matty Cash with Kosta Nedeljkovic due to injury early on.
Ultimately, Martinelli was replaced by Leandro Trossard five minutes after the hour-mark – and the decision paid off almost immediately, with the Belgian breaking the deadlock with a smart finish past Emiliano Martinez.
Leandro Trossard shares what he told Gabriel Magalhaes when he came on for Arsenal
And he was involved in the second goal, with Trossard being found by a delicious pass from Gabriel Magalhaes. Eventually, the ball found its way over to Bukayo Saka who teed up Thomas Partey. Martinez will certainly feel that he should have done a lot better with the midfielder’s strike.
Gabriel is perhaps not known for his inch-perfect passes over the top, but it would appear that Trossard knew exactly what the Brazilian could do as he sensed that there was a real opportunity to exploit Nedeljkovic. Speaking to Sky Sports, Trossard explained that he got a message to the centre-back immediately.
“As soon as I came on, I told Gabriel that he had to look for me in behind as there would be space. The first he didn’t do, the second he did. It’s a good finish from Thomas,” he said.
The problem Mikel Arteta now faces after forward’s cameo
Trossard’s performance will have certainly given Arteta plenty to ponder, with Arsenal earning a big three points in their push to go one better this season.
It would be easy to look at Saturday’s display and push for Martinelli to be dropped. Now is the time for the 23-year-old to start moving past potential and becoming the impact player Saka is every single week for the Gunners.
And it would be easy to pick Trossard to start ahead of him. Ian Wright felt Trossard was the difference for Arsenal on Saturday, so he is definitely knocking on the door.
But the 29-year-old is someone with 14 league goals in 56 appearances for Arsenal – half of those appearances have now come from the bench. He is someone who can make a real impact coming off the bench, so the change may not be as easy for Arteta to make as some would suspect.
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