Gabriel Martinelli statement made as Mikel Arteta could hatch new Arsenal plan for Fulham

Gabriel Martinelli continued his strong start to the 2025/26 campaign in front of goal as he scored in Brazil's friendly clash with Japan. The 24-year-old has played just 226 minutes since the September international break, but he has still managed four goal contributions in that time with the majority of those arriving from the bench.

Following his opening day performance against Manchester United and display at Anfield in defeat to Liverpool, Martinelli was criticised heavily for his lack of cutting edge in the final third. After two weeks away with Brazil, Martinelli seemingly had a point to prove.

A 12-minute cameo in the 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest was followed up with match-deciding actions against Athletic Club and Manchester City. Martinelli scored and assisted off the bench in the visit to the former before expertly lobbing Gianluigi Donnarumma to secure an important point for Arsenal against Pep Guardiola's side just a few days later.

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Martinelli marked a first Champions League start by scoring from close-range against Olympiacos,though he did all he could to allow Viktor Gyokeres to find the back of the net by leaving his goal-bound effort that ultimately hit the post and see him net a simple tap-in.

It was a much harder finish for Martinelli later that month playing for Brazil with the Arsenal man carefully watching a Lucas Paqueta pass over his shoulder before firing in a half-volley from a tight angle and double his nation's lead.

Japan went on to win the clash, but it was the dream scenario for Arteta with Martinelli on target and taken off just before the hour-mark. The majority of his performances have come from the bench, but he could be set for a start against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Leandro Trossard, who has also scored over the international break, started on the left against West Ham with Bukayo Saka on the right and Viktor Gyokeres through the middle. The latter is the only Arsenal attacker not to find the back of the net over the last seven days with Saka and Max Dowman both on target against Wales.

Instead, he endured two nightmare games for Sweden with defeats to Switzerland and Kosovo all-but-eliminating them from World Cup qualifying.

With Gyokeres now on an eight-game goal drought, Arteta could be tempted to take him out of the limelight and hand the likes of Martinelli and Trossard starts after strong displays on international duty. Mikel Merino was rewarded for similar when he started Arsenal's first game back after scoring a hat-trick for Spain.

However, if the Cottagers remain without all of Sasa Lukic, Rodrigo Muniz and Raul Jimenez, Marco Silva is likely to deploy a back five and thus the presence of Gyokeres to occupy defenders may be needed.