Arsenal wonderkid Gabriel Martinelli 'at odds with Mikel Arteta over his playing position'

Arsenal wonderkid Gabriel Martinelli ‘at odds with Mikel Arteta over his playing position’ as Brazilian sees himself as winger not a centre forward

  • Gabriel Martinelli has admitted he sees his qualities better served playing wide 
  • The youngster is injured at the moment and set for an Arsenal return in 2021 
  • Boss Mikel Arteta has previously insisted he sees Martinelli as a centre forward 
  • Brazilian stresses his love for the Gunners and wants Champions League glory 

Arsenal starlet Gabriel Martinelli is reportedly at odds with boss Mikel Arteta over his playing position, despite insisting how much he loves the club.

In recent seasons Martinelli has emerged as an unpolished gem at the Emirates, showing signs he could be one of the world’s leading footballers in the future.

And now it has emerged that Martinelli sees himself as a slightly different player than Arteta does, but will work alongside his boss to get things right. 

Gabriel Martinelli sees his best position as different to that of his manager Mikel Arteta

Gabriel Martinelli sees his best position as different to that of his manager Mikel Arteta

Speaking during a remote guest appearance on popular Brazilian Youtube channel Desimpedidos, Martinelli admitted he felt his qualities best suited a position out wide, with more space to attack into forward areas.

‘I like to play open and I play quite centrally, but I prefer to start wide,’ said Martinelli.

‘But my preference is always just to play, centre-half, full-back, goalkeeper, I just want to play.’

Martinelli says he feels better playing out wide, but stresses he would feature anywhere

Martinelli says he feels better playing out wide, but stresses he would feature anywhere

Yet earlier this year, prior to lockdown, Arteta had outlined his vision for Martinelli purely as a centre-forward.

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.

Martinelli has stressed that when it comes down to it, his ultimate aim is simply to be a huge part in the lifting of trophies while wearing an Arsenal shirt.

He added: ‘Arteta is the boss. I am trying to follow his path in being an idol at the club, winning trophies and being captain of the club.

‘I have just signed a 5 year contract here and I will stay 5 years here, and if they renew with me again I will stay at this club, I love, I love this club. I dream of winning the league and the Champions League here.

source: dailymail.co.uk