'We win the league': Ian Wright thinks £42m star has just transformed Martinelli's form at Arsenal 

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Arsenal fans are now starting to see the best of Gabriel Martinelli.

The 23-year-old has been on a few rocky roads of late, but that form is changing and it has put a smile on the face of Ian Wright.

Many have been critical of Martinelli’s form and he has had to suck it up, take the verbal hits and get better.

But now the plaudits are coming the Brazilian’s way after he scored his first Premier League goal of the season during Arsenal’s 4-2 win over Leicester City at the weekend.

You could argue that Martinelli‘s change in form started during Arsenal‘s 2-2 draw at Manchester City a fortnight ago because he was outstanding before the tone of the game changed because of Leandro Trossard’s red card.

Wright thinks ‘you were starting to hear murmurings’ about Martinelli and the negative bubble that he was in, as he told Premier League Productions (30/09/24 at 1:35 pm).

But what has changed for the all-action forward? Is it just a case of finding that spark? Has someone had a word with him? Or has someone helped him out?

Wright certainly thinks one player in particular has helped transform Martinelli’s game and ‘activated’ Arsenal’s left side, like their right side.

The legendary striker pointed towards Riccardo Calafiori‘s arrival and how his presence is bringing the best out of the player.

Arsenal spent £42 million on the Italy international this summer and now Martinelli has that left-sided player he can ‘play off’.

Riccardo Calafiori has helped transform Gabriel Martinelli

"What was happening was that you were starting to hear murmurings about him," said Wright.

"I think one of the things that has happened to Martinelli as well, what has really helped him with his form is Calafiori's form for Arsenal, how he plays and how he frees him up.

"We need Gabriel Martinelli playing well for us with his pace, with his capability of getting into the box and scoring. It's very difficult for him when he doesn't have that left-sided player that can pop up around him and play with him. Somebody he can play off.  Like Saka plays off Odegaard, so he can get himself in the box and score the goal, which I am really pleased for, simply because people talk about 'oh you need to sign a striker'. But Martinelli didn't have a good season. Jesus didn't have a good season. You can't tell me that if they up their game a little, they are probably scoring, at least, five goals each and Arsenal then win the league. What I want from him is for him to get to this consistency, with the players that can activate out left side, like our right side is activated. Maybe Calafiori is the man who has done that for us."

Martin Odegaard’s injury

You could argue that Martin Odegaard’s injury has been a blessing in disguise for Martinelli. It doesn’t help Arsenal overall, but he is now playing more, as a result.

Trossard probably starts on the left if his captain is fit, but it has kept Martinelli out on the pitch.

READ MORE:What Martin Odegaard has been doing to help Ethan Nwaneri behind the scenes at Arsenal for two years

And credit to the Brazil international, he has taken those chances and is flying high because he is bang in form right now.

It also helps Martinelli on the international stage because Brazil, amid their very poor form, need every bit of help that they can get.