Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has criticized Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli, claiming that he has taken a step “backwards” under manager Mikel Arteta.
Scholes made the remark while responding to comments made by Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, who raised concerns about Martinelli’s development.
Martinelli, who was one of Arsenal’s standout performers during the 2022/23 season with 15 goals in all competitions, has seen a decline in form. Last season, he managed just eight goals, and this season, he has scored only four goals in 22 appearances.
During The Overlap’s latest Fan Debate, Carragher said, “I look at Martinelli and actually think probably three years ago when this team was just getting built, it felt like Ødegaard, Saka, and Martinelli were all at the same sort of level. It looked like they could go on and be top players. I think the other two have, I’m not sure about Martinelli.”
Scholes agreed, saying: “Yeah, it feels like he’s gone backwards a little bit. You thought a year, 18 months ago, ‘wow, what a player,’ and he has stalled a little bit. He’s still young, isn’t he? We said pre-season a centre-forward was always something Arsenal needed, and for some reason, I don’t think the manager did.”
Scholes also pointed to Martinelli’s stagnation and suggested that the team’s overall progress, especially with the return of Ødegaard, could help Arsenal improve moving forward, but questioned Arsenal’s January transfer options.
