Gabriel Martinelli is impressing Arsenal fans by seemingly bulking up over the coronavirus lockdown, based on his latest Instagram post.
Regardless of his excellent workrate, Martinelli wasn’t the bulkiest player when he first joined Arsenal, as you can see above. Only just turning 18 in the summer, that’s no real surprise either.
That changed slowly throughout the season, and the player also appears to be taking his individual workouts very seriously during the current lockdown.
For all his hard work, finishing ability and intelligent movement, you could argue Martinelli is still getting to grips with the physicality required to be a top Premier League dribbler. He gets pushed off the ball a bit too easily, making him a high-risk high-reward player.
If he could add some bulk and learn to use his body a bit more like Bukayo Saka does, shielding the ball and adding some unpredictability to his game, he could make himself a top winger. Alternatively, the bulk could help him nail down a centre-forward role.
Personally, I’m not always hugely in favour of bulking up. It really depends on your position and your areas for improvement. Plus, you have to do it right, adding muscle without losing any pace.
Martinelli is someone it could work well for though, in my opinion. Many Arsenal fans seem to agree.
Arsenal fan reactions
Martinelli bulking up, yeah it’s a wrap for the Prem. pic.twitter.com/iizwqaRX7B
— Gally ™ (@AFCGally) April 10, 2020
It’s game, set & match for the Premier League once it returns. Martinelli means businesses. pic.twitter.com/aBd1TDjkvw
— Bhavs (@bhavss14) April 10, 2020
It’s game over for the defenders in the EPL #afc #arsenal pic.twitter.com/YNrpwuhFNx
— Urban Arsenal (@urbanarsenaI) April 10, 2020
Gabriel Martinelli getting ready to body defenders 🕺 pic.twitter.com/9eiUSxJFjP
— B h a d o o s k y (@BhadmusAkeem) April 10, 2020
Martinelli looks ripped pic.twitter.com/BoiQWIDFx4
— The Irish Gooner (@TheIrishGooner2) April 10, 2020