Gabriel Martinelli set for Arsenal return vs Nottingham Forest as Mikel Arteta ponders 3 changes
The conventional wisdom is that Arsenal's biggest problem this season has been their inability to score goals. The Gunners have been mostly superb at the back and have the second stingiest defence in the Premier League.
When it comes to the other end of the pitch though, they have been found wanting. They rank just fifth for goals scored, with no player having managed to net above six times in the league this season.
It's not as if they haven't been creating the chances. Only Liverpool and Manchester City have a higher xG in the English top flight. Safe to say a few of Arsenal's forwards haven't quite been pulling their weight when it comes to the goalscoring.
One of the most guilty offenders is Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian has made 19 appearances in the league this season, of those 17 have been starts. From that he has recorded just four goals. The fact that he scored half of that tally in the closing stages of the recent 5-0 win over Crystal Palace suggests a chance might be on the horizon.
«I think that is going to make him very good,» Mikel Arteta said in his post-match presser. «Sometimes when you are in that period and, as well, he had a little issue the last few days in training. He wasn’t fully, fully fit. That changes the momentum and the perception. It re-energises you and I think it’s a good do thing.»
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The Brazilian was left out of the XI against Palace, but after his late goal scoring exploits you would have to expect him to regain his starting spot. It will be harsh on Leandro Trossard who scored a goal of his own in the 5-0 hammering
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