
Key strength: Cutting inside
Inside forward
With Arsenal locked in a fierce title race at 2nd in the Premier League—navigating an inconsistent spell of DWLDL form—Gabriel Martinelli has emerged as the Gunners' most reliable attacking outlet. The 24-year-old Brazilian, donning the iconic #11 shirt, has maximized every minute of his 1,862 on the pitch this season, delivering 11 goals and 5 assists across 42 appearances despite often appearing from the bench. Operating as a lethal inside forward, Martinelli's 78-rated shooting comes alive when he cuts inside onto his favored foot, creating havoc alongside creative forces Martin Ødegaard and Eberechi Eze while opening space for striker Viktor Gyökeres. Remarkably, he's maintained this attacking intensity with absolute discipline—not a single card all season. At a €45 million valuation and climbing, the former Ituano prodigy represents exactly the X-factor Mikel Arteta needs: a game-changer who transforms stale draws into crucial victories. As the title run-in intensifies, Martinelli's ability to stretch defenses and convert half-chances could prove the difference between silverware and disappointment at the Emirates.