Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli is determined to regain his powerful form in the 2024/25 Premier League season.
The Brazil international enjoyed a superb 2022/23 Premier League campaign, scoring 15 top-flight goals and becoming the Gunners’ joint-top scorer in league action.
However, injuries disrupted his expected progress last season, with 24 EPL starts and six goals compared to 34 the previous campaign.
Following his return from the Copa America with Brazil this summer, Arsenal’s medical staff have been working on a tailored plan with the 23-year-old to get him back to full fitness.
Martinelli’s lack of regular action last season also saw Leandro Trossard elevated above him in Mikel Arteta’s starting plans, even when the former Ituano striker was in top form.
Trossard was deployed in Martinelli’s preferred left-sided attacking role alongside Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka but is set to reclaim his starting place.
“I think the competition for places is good for the team. We try to do our best on the pitch to win every game, so it’s good to have two players fighting for places,” he said in an interview with London Football.
“Arsenal are happy with that and so am I, so we try to do our best to win games.”
Martinelli, Trossard and Saka all started Arsenal’s final pre-season game, a 2-0 Emirates Cup win over Lyon, and that could be a sign of Arteta’s stance.
Trossard and Gabriel Jesus will also be fighting for the three starting attacking spots, with Saka being the only player who has a place in the starting XI completely assured.
The Gunners kick off their EPL season at home to Wolves on August 17.
