Arsenal ‘ready’ for Liverpool as confidence returns to key figure in massive title boost

Arsenal are ready to face Liverpool in second major Premier League title bout as confidence returns to world-class winger

Confidence is a trait that players feed from and some almost rely on it as fuel to perform at their absolute best. Arsenal have had many players down the years who it was thought that with the wind in their sails, little could stop them – names like Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud and perhaps more recently Raheem Sterling.

However, one player in the group who has been lacking confidence until late is Gabriel Martinelli. Prior to his assist against Manchester City, setting up Riccardo Calafiori, the Brazilian had failed to get a goal or an assist in nearly 20 matches for the Gunners.

However, that assist against City was followed up by two more goal contributions against Leicester before he then came off the bench at the Emirates Stadium with the scores level with Southampton to score a brilliant first-time volley and hand his side the lead.

His teammates would help see out a 3-1 win on Saturday afternoon and claim another vital three points in the title race. Martinelli is one of the few remaining players in the starting eleven who were not signed by current coach Mikel Arteta.

That said, as a teenager when Arteta took over, he has since developed into one of the league’s best wingers. Despite this return to form, he had to make do with a place on the bench against the Saints, yet speaking to football.london after the game, it was evident that he knew the reasons behind the change.

“Yeah I mean we have to understand the rotation,” he said when asked about the switches to the eleven. “Really happy for [Raheem] Sterling who played there today. I was ready to come as well and really happy with the goal.”

Although having a level of understanding as to the decision, it was clear that Martinelli’s mind remained firmly on staying an established part of the starting team. Perhaps unsurprising, but magnanimous all the same – yet more evidence of how Arteta has gone his squad working with such a togetherness.

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“I mean, no one wants to be on the bench,” he replied when asked about his preferences. “I want to play, I don’t mind being on the bench but I’m happy to help the team and be there for the boys as well.”

The form has been aided by the new arrivals of Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori, the former of whom has only just worked his way into proceedings. The Spaniard was injured in a strange training collision with Gabriel before returning in the midweek win over PSG.

The aforementioned togetherness that Arteta has instilled was further evident in how Martinelli spoke of the new pair of signings. Martinelli arrived at the club at just 18 years of age, with very little knowledge of the language and culture but was integrated and now he knows the role he must play in replicating that for new team members.

“We try to make them feel at home as soon as possible - I know how hard it is to come from another country and settle at a new club, so we just try to make them feel at home as much as possible. Mikel and Rico (Calafiori) are really nice guys and we are really happy for them (that they are fit again).”

Martinelli’s form has earned him a place in his national side again after missing out on the last team. When Arsenal return to domestic action, their next home game in the league is against Liverpool in a title clash which could prove decisive come May.

While confidence may have been lacking in Martinelli a month ago, this new-found form and goalscoring consistency have clearly bled through to how he foresees the upcoming games. Asked about the difficulty of the next Premier League test at the Emirates Stadium, his answer was short and telling.

“We can’t wait to play these games and we’ll be ready for them.”

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