Ian Wright insists Mikel Arteta’s new “finisher” term doesn’t change the fact that certain players are having to sit on the subs bench as Gabriel Martinelli again come up trumps
Ian Wright admits that Mikel Arteta‘s decision to bring in the phrase “finishers” doesn’t negate the fact that “you’re still a substitute” as Gabriel Martinelli again proved his worth from the bench for Arsenal against Manchester City.
The Brazilian’s goal rescued a point in stoppage time for the Gunners and came just days after he appeared from the bench to open the scoring in Arsenal’s Champions League win over Athletic Bilbao. Leandro Trossard also scored that night after coming on as a substitute.
Arteta used a phrase largely derived from rugby and claimed that “finishers have to impact the game” as he underlined the value of those who don’t start the contest. Martinelli and Eberechi Eze were among those to miss out on starting spots against City, with Eze setting up the equaliser.
The Arsenal boss has continued to try and be innovative with his approach but Wright claims he can rebrand all he want – he is ultimately resigning certain players to the subs bench to begin matches.
Martinelli has come up trumps twice in a matter of days after being introduced into games and Wright fears that the Brazilian could end up earning himself a reputation as a player who is more effective as a sub, rather than occupying the starting role that he’ll want.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta explains Noni Madueke substitution after unpopular Arsenal decision vs Man City
He told Premier League Productions: “It sounds different to being a substitute – but you’re still a substitute. The fact is, you’ve got to come on and you’ve got to try and save the game again. You want to start the game and prove you can do that when you’re starting.
“Is he going to get typecast now? Because he’s done it in the Champions League, he’s done it in another big game against a big team. At some stage, you think, ‘When do I get my chance to be the starter?’
“I think, you know, his performances with him coming off the bench and doing what he’s doing, only highlight the fact, ‘I want more, I’m going to prove I can do more, and when I do get the opportunity, I’ve got to be more consistent so people don’t think I’m am impact player’.”
Arteta confessed that Martinelli’s exploits probably warranted more involvement but hailed his impact from the bench. “He’s in a really good moment again after the game he had in Bilbao and that period of time probably he deserved more,” he said. “But his energy again, his attitude was really good and that’s why he made the impact that he made again for the team.
The Arsenal boss continued: “We want consistency on that, for every player that doesn’t start the game to be able to do that, because you see how long the match is and the level that it requires to beat them, and we’re very happy with him.”
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