NOW IS HIS TIME:Arteta must boldly drop Sterling and start Arsenal's "sensational" jewel vs Leicester - opinion

keep him on the pitch following Leandro Trossard's red card to act as an outlet for the side, and while he did do that at times, his desire to defend, put himself in the way and run himself into the ground stood out.

Martinelli's Arsenal career so far

Season

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Goal Involvements per Match

2019/20

26

10

4

0.53

2020/21

22

2

2

0.18

2021/22

36

6

7

0.36

2022/23

46

15

6

0.45

2023/24

44

8

5

0.29

2024/25

7

0

1

0.14

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Moreover, with a run of slightly easier league games to come in the next month or so, Arteta should give him a chance to rediscover his goalscoring form, as if he can get back to the sort of numbers he was producing in the 22/23 campaign when he scored 15 goals and provided six assists, then Arsenal will have a seriously dangerous attacker on their hands once again.

Ultimately, Sterling did well on Wednesday night, but given the level of opposition and the fact that Martinelli was massively important to the draw against City, the former should make way for the latter tomorrow afternoon.