At a Glance:
- Gabriel Martinelli’s record against Spanish teams is encouraging for Arsenal.
- Worrying for Atletico Madrid ahead of the Champions League semi-final.
- Martinelli has thrived in the Champions League this season.
Mikel Arteta will be counting on Gabriel Martinelli to step up to the plate for Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final clash against Atletico Madrid.
Martinelli struggled against Newcastle United when he came off the bench, with the Brazilian failing to stamp his authority throughout the entirety of the 2025/2026 Premier League season.
However, the 24-year-old’s record in the Champions League this campaign makes for good reading from the Gunners’ perspective, as he has registered six goals and two assists in six starts.
Martinelli wants to make history in an Arsenal shirt this term and the best way to achieve his dream would be by turning up during Tuesday’s encounter.
Gabriel Martinelli could be Arsenal’s key man vs Atletico Madrid in Champions League semi-final
Earlier this campaign, when Arsenal thrashed Atletico Madrid 4-0, Martinelli played a crucial role by curling the ball past Jan Oblak to score a terrific goal before playing a huge role in Viktor Gyokeres’ opener.
He has a history of performing against Spanish opposition, with the winger’s heroics in the North Londoners’ 2-0 win against Athletic Bilbao being another example from this campaign.
The former Ituano speedster’s opening goal was brilliant, as he got on the end of Leandro Trossard’s flicker header and burst past Bilbao’s backline before finishing with aplomb. In the same contest, Martinelli darted past his full-back before setting Trossard’s strike up with an inch-perfect cut back.
In Arsenal’s 2-1 win against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu as well, Martinelli beat Fran Garcia for pace after he was found in acres of space by Mikel Merino before scoring the winner.
Martinelli is having a tough season and one of the flaws in his game is that he struggles against low blocks. But in Europe, opposition defences leave far more space as they take the game to Arsenal, which suits a player like him who thrives in counter-attacking situations.
Martinelli punished Sevilla on the break as well, running in behind their backline before scoring the opening goal after Gabriel Jesus skillfully set him up.
Perhaps Mikel Arteta should start Martinelli over the in-form Eberechi Eze on the left-wing against Atleti purely due to his threat on the counter and knack of coming up clutch in the Champions League.
Gabriel Martinelli could give Arsenal a parting gift vs Atletico Madrid
Notably, against Sevilla, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, he was assisted by three false nines; namely Jesus, Merino and Trossard respectively, which could suggest that Kai Havertz must the lead line as well.
Considering Martinelli’s future at Arsenal is up in the air, the player could also be determined to give the supporters a parting gift if he is indeed exiting the club in the summer.
Whether Mikel Arteta utilises Martinelli as a starter or an impact substitute will be interesting to see, considering Eze was Arsenal’s match-winner against Newcastle.
