Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal forwards Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli to do their talking on the pitch amid limited starting opportunities as Arsenal continue their pursuit of the Premier League title.
Both Jesus and Martinelli have found themselves out of Arteta’s starting line-up in recent weeks with Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka emerging as his preferred frontline.
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Asked by ESPN Brasil if the pair were frustrated by the existing pecking order, Arteta said: “I think there are two parts. One, they’re happy because of where we are as a team and what we’re fighting for. And another, because now they want to play, everyone wants to play.
“Everyone who doesn’t play everything wants to play more. But that’s my decision and what I feel at each time.
“Both of them have been super important this season, and will also be these two remaining games and this is what this is about, when you have the moment you have to talk on the field and you have to say it on the field.”
Jesus’ future at the club has been in question as the Brazil international has struggled with knee problems since undergoing surgery for an injury sustained at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He underwent a second minor operation in January and admitted last month he couldn’t “remember the last day I played football without pain.”
