Arsenal

Arsenal: Charles Watts claims Gabriel Martinelli needs January loan

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Image for Arsenal: Charles Watts claims Gabriel Martinelli needs January loan

Arsenal writer Charles Watts has claimed that youngster Gabriel Martinelli could use a loan this January to further his development. 

In his first season with the club, the Brazilian impressed immensely as he became the youngster player to reach double figures for goals since Nicolas Anelka and was a prominent feature in live football betting odds.

Unfortunately, in that same season, a significant injury halted his progress. Since returning to fitness last season, Martinelli has struggled to keep a regular spot in the starting lineup, playing just 240 minutes in all competitions so far this term.

With this in mind, Watts has suggested that a loan away from the club during the second half of the season could be crucial in getting the 20-year-old back to his best.

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Watts said: “I really think a loan move in January would be a good thing for Gabriel Martinelli.

“There’s no doubt that you kind of look at Martinelli right now and think in the last 12 months or so, he has stagnated a little bit because he’s just not getting enough game time so he needs to go out and play.

“I think in January, if things stay the same way, which I believe they will – because I just can’t see how things are going to really change between now and January – that you just send him out somewhere, get him some really regular game time between now and the end of the season so he can come back in the summer and really stake his claim.”

TIF Thoughts on Gabriel Martinelli and Arsenal… 

Although he did start the first two games of the season, he has since lost his spot as the likes of Nicolas Pepe, Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka have all been trusted out wide.

The talent is clearly there for Martinelli – he proved that on the international stage this summer as he won Olympic gold with Brazil in Tokyo.

Should Gabriel Martinelli go out on loan?

Yes

Yes

No

No

For all his potential, though, it may be hard to get many guaranteed minutes for the club, with Mikel Arteta having so many attacking options to chose from. Perhaps a loan move, as Watts suggests, really could be the best thing for the Brazilian right now, despite Arteta insisting he will remain in N5.

In other news: Charles Watts breaks silence on Oxlade-Chamberlain rumour at Arsenal

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