Arsenal 4-0 Standard Liege: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis | Europa League 2019/20

#2 Gabriel Martinelli sparkles under the Emirates lights

Martinelli dazzled under the Emirates lights

In the off-season, Arsenal conducted an enormous amount of transfer business. While Ceballos, David Luiz and Nicolas Pepe joined the ranks, Alex Iwobi, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Monreal were shipped off. Among those the Gunners had brought on board was Gabriel Martinelli, a young Brazilian prodigy touted for greatness like numerous others from that part of the world.

Yet, the Emirates faithful always looked upon the teenager as a signing of tomorrow rather than one capable of influencing games this term. However, with each passing game, the Brazilian has been disproving that notion and he’s been doing it quite fabulously.

On Thursday, Martinelli was unplayable at times. His direct running and movement off the ball caused a myriad of problems for Standard Liege as the striker bagged a couple of goals and an assist.

The first goal came about when the Brazilian ghosted in at the front post. After timing his run to perfection, he nodded the ball home powerfully. The second goal displayed the striker’s predatory instincts when he latched onto Nelson’s cross before turning his man and firing the ball into the far corner.

In the second half too, he was outstanding and he helped create Ceballos’ goal. The teenager picked up the ball on the right channel and raced to the by-line. Thereafter, he dinked the ball adroitly for the Spaniard to poke the ball into the back of the net.

Apart from his goal contributions, Martinelli portrayed excellent application and work-rate, meaning that he pressed from the front and barely allowed the visitors easy possession in their own half.

Back in the summer, there was an extraordinary amount of hype surrounding a forward Arsenal had signed. And, while the Ivorian lad, for whom the Gunners broke the bank, hasn’t set the world ablaze, the youngster acquired from Brazilian obscurity has been quietly doing his bit, and a touch more.

Though there exists a substantial difference between the quality of teams Martinelli has faced so far and those that he might encounter in the Premier League, he certainly must be doing something right to have made the net bulge four times in only two starts.