Gabriel Marinelli confident over Leandro Trossard battle for Arsenal starting spot

Feargal Brennan

Gabriel Marinelli confident over Leandro Trossard battle for Arsenal starting spot image

Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli is determined to revive his potent form in the 2024/25 Premier League season.

The Brazilian international enjoyed a superb 2022/23 EPL campaign, with 15 top-flight goals, as the Gunners top scorer in league action.

However, injuries disrupted his expected progress last season, with 24 EPL starts and six goals, compared to 34 from the previous campaign.

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Following his return from Copa America duty with Brazil this summer, the Arsenal medical staff have been working on a tailored plan with the 23-year-old to bring him back to optimum level.

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 forward was fully fit.

Trossard was deployed in Martinelli's favoured left-sided attacking role, alongside Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka, but he is ready to wrestle back his starting spot.

"I think 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 the positions", he told an interview with Football London.

"Arsenal is happy with that, and I am also, so we try to give our best to win games."

Martinelli, Trossard and Saka started Arsenal's final preseason game, in a 2-0 Emirates Cup win over Lyon, and that could be an indication of Arteta's stance.

Trossard and Gabriel Jesus will also battle for the three starting attacking places with Saka the only player completely assured of his slot in the starting XI.

The Gunners kickoff their EPL season at home to Wolves on August 17.

Feargal Brennan

Feargal Brennan Photo

Feargal is a content producer for The Sporting News. He has been working with TSN since the start of 2022 after stints with Reach, Amazon UK and Squawka in a nomadic career in the football media pyramid. Always with a keen eye on Arteta's 'Reds' and Kenny's Ireland 'Greens' and a 100% five-a-side penalty record.