Charlie Nicholas has backed Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli to shine against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League clash on Thursday evening.
The Gunners’ legend claimed that the Brazilian starlet has a great thing going for him in front of goal at this moment in time, and backed him to continue that at the Emirates Stadium against the Germans.
Nicholas went on to predict that Arsenal would claim all three points in the group stage clash down to the enthusiasm of their younger players, backing the home side to win 3-2 and strengthen their gap at the top of their group.
“Arsenal will win, but only by the enthusiasm of the youngsters,” he wrote on his Sky Sports’ predictions column.
“Martinelli has a great thing going for him so I think he will shine. As usual, there will be goals.”
Nicholas also suggested that the likes of Bukayo Saka, Dani Ceballos and Joe Willock will come in and feature over the likes of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
What do we think?
The Europa League clash with Frankfurt will be a welcome break for Unai Emery who appears to be struggling with the demands of the Premier League after the 2-2 draw against Southampton.
Emery has given the Gunners’ youngsters the platform to shine in domestic and European competitions, and they have definitely repaid him in those clashes.
Martinelli, in particular, has been on fire in front of goal, scoring seven goals in his five starts – including three in the Europa League.
The 18-year-old has averaged 3.3 shots on goal in each of those European games according to WhoScored, and should he continue to perform at that level, a chance to start in the Premier League will be around the corner.
The Brazilian will surely be given the chance to shine once again, and Nicholas is spot on to single him out as one of the players who could turn the game on its head.
