Arsenal have already got ‘electric’ Aubameyang replacement after Arteta reveal – pundit
Gabriel Martinelli has “grabbed his opportunity with both hands” after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was frozen out at Arsenal, according to Alan Hutton.
The former Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the “writing is on the wall” for the 32-year-old Gabon striker.
Martinelli has started five of Arsenal’s last six Premier League games – scoring four and assisting two.
As quoted by Sky Sports (21 December), Gunners boss Mikel Arteta praised the Brazillian for “training incredibly hard”.
He also branded the 20-year-old a “real threat in front of goal”.
Hutton insisted Martinelli is a “capable” replacement for the former skipper.
“He’s shown he’s very much capable of coming in and being effective in Aubameyang’s absence,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“It’s obviously disappointing the way it’s ended with him, with everything that’s happened.
“But Martinelli has grabbed this opportunity with both hands after Arteta gave him the chance to show his worth.
“Aubameyang was hardly in-form before the problems started. To have Martinelli come in and show this electric form will be so good for Arteta. The writing is on the wall for Aubameyang now.”
Aubameyang has been stripped of the captaincy at Arsenal following a breach of discipline.
The striker is now training alone and away from the main group.
Martinelli has scored 16 goals in 63 Arsenal games since joining in 2019.
The Gunners sit fourth in the Premier League after 18 games.
Arteta’s side face Norwich at Carrow Road on Boxing Day.
In other news, a pundit fears Arsenal defender exit ‘could come off’ after a transfer update from ESPN.