Arsenal’s 2025/26 campaign has been a rollercoaster, with Mikel Arteta’s side navigating a brutal early-season schedule that included clashes against Manchester United, Liverpool, and Manchester City. While the Gunners remain a formidable force, sitting second in the Premier League table, they’ve been rocked by a significant injury to summer signing Noni Madueke and are now poised to experiment with Gabriel Martinelli in a new role to maximize his impact.
Martinelli’s Resurgence as a ‘Finisher’
Gabriel Martinelli, the 24-year-old Brazilian winger, has faced criticism from some Arsenal fans for his inconsistent performances over the past two seasons. However, his recent heroics have reignited belief in his potential. Coming off the bench, Martinelli secured a dramatic victory against Athletic Club in the Champions League and followed it up with a stoppage-time equalizer against Manchester City, showcasing his blistering pace and clinical finishing.
These moments have prompted Arteta to rethink Martinelli’s role in the squad. Traditionally deployed as a starter on the left flank, Martinelli has struggled to influence games in Arsenal’s methodical, possession-based build-up during the opening 60 minutes. However, his electric speed and ability to exploit tired defenses have proven devastating late in matches.
According to The Standard, Arteta has embraced the concept of ‘finishers’—substitutes who can change the game in its final stages—a term borrowed from rugby coach Eddie Jones, whom Arteta admires. Arsenal’s depth allows for tactical flexibility, and Martinelli’s explosive attributes make him an ideal candidate to thrive as a late-game substitute. Declan Rice echoed this sentiment after the Manchester City draw, noting, “When you come off the bench at 60, 70, 80 minutes, the game’s opened up, it’s more stretched. For players like Gabi, their pace and dribbling help them massively because there’s so much space.”
With Arsenal’s upcoming Carabao Cup third-round tie against Port Vale offering a chance to rotate the squad, Arteta may use the match to further test Martinelli’s effectiveness as a second-half impact player, alongside giving minutes to fringe players like Myles Lewis, Piero Hincapie, and Ben White.
Madueke’s Injury Blow
While Martinelli’s resurgence offers hope, Arsenal have been dealt a significant setback with the injury to Noni Madueke. The 23-year-old winger, who joined from Chelsea for £48.5 million in the summer, had been a standout performer in Arsenal’s opening six games. His dynamism and flair on the right flank made him a key component of Arteta’s attacking setup, arguably outshining even Bukayo Saka in recent weeks.
However, Madueke’s promising start was cut short during the Manchester City match, where he was forced off at halftime after playing through discomfort in the first half. Scans conducted on Monday revealed the extent of the injury, ruling him out for two months, with a return expected in November. This absence adds to Arsenal’s growing injury list, which has already seen Saka, Ben White, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, and Christian Norgaard miss significant time this season.
Madueke’s injury opens the door for 15-year-old wonderkid Max Dowman to see increased minutes on the right flank. While Dowman’s potential is undeniable, his lack of experience at the senior level could pose challenges as Arsenal navigate a demanding schedule.
The Carabao Cup clash against Port Vale presents an opportunity for Arteta to experiment with his squad and tactics while managing the absence of key players like Madueke. A more straightforward fixture compared to their recent Premier League battles, the match allows Arteta to rest starters and integrate younger or less-utilized players.
Martinelli’s potential shift to a ‘finisher’ role could prove to be a masterstroke, leveraging his pace and flair to exploit fatigued defenses. Meanwhile, Madueke’s absence is a bitter pill to swallow, but it offers a chance for Arsenal’s depth to shine, with Dowman and others stepping up to fill the void.
As Arsenal continue their pursuit of Premier League glory, Arteta’s ability to adapt to injuries and maximize his squad’s versatility will be crucial. Martinelli’s new role and the emergence of young talents like Dowman could define the Gunners’ season as they aim to close the five-point gap to league leaders Liverpool.