Gabriel Martinelli in the #9 then, eh?
An in-depth review.
An in-depth review.
Martinelli may have the work rate, athleticism, confidence, technical quality and finishing to play as a #9, but will he have the positional discipline? That's the biggest question here. The #9 is a unique role in the sense that 'staying away' is often better for team dynamics.
There's really no doubting the fact that Martinelli is a complete #9 skillset wise & has the transitional qualities to kill any team in that role, but balance would likely need to be obtained elsewhere in the XI considering his preference to drift out to the left wing/half space.
Think of it like Henry or Mbappé in the #9. Nobody doubts their quality there but they drift to the left to get touches - Martinelli is the same. That requires tactical adaptation balance-wise. Bergkamp played behind Henry. Why? Because he 'stuck' in central areas - a focal point
The fact that Martinelli will often drop deep to link play or drift wide to get touches means Arsenal will need penetration from elsewhere, and this is where Ødegaard, Smith-Rowe, Xhaka and even Lokonga come into the equation regarding central runs from deep. It's key for balance
It also means that Arsenal have a central focal point. Jesus may drift wide but he does so when Martinelli drifts central, so the maintenance of that dynamic is imperative to ensure Arsenal have a focal point. Smith-Rowe starting from the left could enable that balance to remain.
Jesus is comfortable operating in central areas with his back to goal, but so is Smith-Rowe. He's a natural #10 who operates in the same congested areas between the lines and has the optimal balance of showing to feet and running in behind the last line, akin to a centre forward.
Either way, what's imperative is that Arsenal still have a focal point, and that can be achieved through a variety of different dynamic relationships, but what Arteta will want to avoid is the #9 area being underloaded, so with Jesus out that'll be his #1 area of concern with GM.
Martinelli himself can certainly work in the #9, and even if a profile like Nketiah starts wide left then that relationship would work (even though it may not make the most sense possible because they're both more comfortable the other way around). As I say, dynamics are key.
But when assessing Martinelli's individual traits to play in the #9, there's no doubt it would work there, but the degree of success he has in that role depends on his adaptation to it - does he stick, or does he drift. Both can be complemented, but the former is more desirable.
Then within that Arteta must cultivate and an environment that even if Martinelli does drift the #9 area is still being occupied with A) runs from deep from the likes of Xhaka and Ødegaard & B) positional interchanging when Martinelli drifts to ensure each zone remains occupied.
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