The Top Flight
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Comparing Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood and Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli

By Mahith Gamage

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Mason Greenwood of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Burnley FC at Old Trafford on January 22, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Mason Greenwood of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Burnley FC at Old Trafford on January 22, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal’s Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli looks on during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Bournemouth and Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, southern England on January 27, 2020. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli looks on during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Bournemouth and Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, southern England on January 27, 2020. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

Gabriel Martinelli has better instincts and box presence.

If you watch a compilation of Gabriel Martinelli’s goals this year, you will notice his quality in the box immediately. He has the natural instincts of a true centre-forward, as he has scored so many goals this year with his immense movement and strength. He suits the term “fox in the box” far more than Greenwood does – it’s almost like he knows where the ball is going before it comes in, which is a quality you associate with the very top forwards.

Martinelli might not be the most complete player, and not the most technically gifted either,  but you can tell he has the mentality, intelligence, and cutting-edge in the final third that can still take you really far.

Despite being under 6 feet tall, Martinelli has shown his aerial prowess throughout the season as well, scoring many powerful headers – highlighting his strength and quality in the box.

Training with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette every day seems to be helping the Brazilian with his adjustment to Premier League football, and it’s obvious he has better attacking teammates than Greenwood does at Manchester United.

https://twitter.com/EuropaLeague/status/1230575598378065920

In 24 matches this season, Gabriel Martinelli has an impressive 10 goals and 4 assists, impressing mostly in the domestic cup competitions and in the Europa League.

At the end of the day, both players have had immense debut seasons, which have displayed their massive potential.

Both Mason Greenwood and Gabriel Martinelli have come seemingly out of nowhere to thrive in the Premier League, and across all major competitions they have been involved in. While this is of course on a far smaller scale, there are similarities to the Messi/Ronaldo debate in this comparison. One player is more technically gifted, one is stronger and is a demon in the box. At the end of the day, they both have similar potential and if they do indeed reach that world-class potential, it will be because of their different strengths.

Next. Bruno Fernandes produces first breakout performance. dark

Just like the Messi/Ronaldo conversation, I urge people to keep the debate alive but also remember to appreciate and acknowledge the qualities of the players. Manchester United and Arsenal both have attacking gems in their ranks, and it will be a treat to watch their development in the coming years.

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