Emmanuel Petit, the former Arsenal and France midfielder, has expressed frustration over the perceived lack of development from Gabriel Martinelli, urging the young forward to elevate his game to the same level as his teammate Bukayo Saka.
Petit, an integral part of France’s 1998 World Cup-winning team, has kept a close eye on Arsenal’s rising stars, particularly Martinelli. Despite showing glimpses of brilliance, the Brazilian forward has yet to fulfill the high expectations placed upon him when he first arrived at the club.
In a recent interview with Arsenal News Central, Petit shared his thoughts on Martinelli’s progress, stating, “I’ve been waiting for some Arsenal players to take that next step, and to be honest, I’m quite frustrated.” Petit specifically pointed to Martinelli, adding, “I’m still waiting for him to reach that higher level. He showed some promise in the game against Crystal Palace, but that’s simply not enough.”
Petit, who watched Martinelli’s early days at Arsenal alongside Bukayo Saka, drew a clear comparison between the two. While Saka has rapidly grown into one of the Premier League’s best players, Martinelli’s development has been slower in comparison. Petit noted, “When you look at how Saka has progressed year after year, becoming a top player for Arsenal and England, I find myself asking, ‘When will that level come from Martinelli?’”
WHERE DID IT GO WRONG FOR MARTINELLI?
The Brazilian winger’s start at Arsenal was promising, and his flair and skill in the final third were immediately noticeable. However, as the years have passed, Petit feels that Martinelli’s consistency and overall improvement have not matched expectations. His sharp performances on occasion have not been enough to firmly establish him among Arsenal’s elite players or reach the heights set by his teammate, Saka.
Martinelli’s failure to take his game to a new level has drawn criticism from fans who once had high hopes for him.
