Gabriel Martinelli has been in fine form for Arsenal this term (Picture: Getty)

Gabriel Agbonlahor has tipped a new role for Gabriel Martinelli at Premier League leaders Arsenal.

The Gunners sit top of the table and five points clear of second-placed Manchester City ahead of the clash against Brighton on New Year’s Eve.

Martinelli has been in fine form for Arsenal this term, registering six goals and two assists across 15 Premier League games.

The 21-year-old Brazil international netted in the Gunners’ 3-1 victory over West Ham on Boxing Day, their first top-flight clash after the World Cup in Qatar.

Martinelli has mainly been operating as a winger so far this season but Agbonlahor feels that may change if Mikel Arteta brings in Mykhaylo Mudryk.

Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for the Shakhtar Donetsk and Ukraine star in the January transfer window and he also plays as a winger.

‘They’ve got Eddie Nketiah at the moment, they’ve got Gabriel Jesus who will be coming back at some point,’ Agbonlahor told Football Insider.

Mykhaylo Mudryk has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal in January (Picture: Getty)

‘But even with that lack of options, I think they see Mykhaylo Mudryk as a player they can’t let pass them by.

‘They could play him as a false nine, they can put Martinelli up front to lead the line – as he has done before.

‘Arsenal obviously don’t want to let Mudryk slip through their fingers.’

Arsenal boss Arteta has previously admitted that he may redeploy Martinelli as a centre forward following Gabriel Jesus’ injury.

‘It’s a huge blow for us, obviously,’ Arteta said. ‘But we have other players, other alternatives and we’ll try to get that sorted. The transfer window is another option.

‘I think [Gabriel Jesus] is a unique player but Eddie [Nketiah] has incredible qualities as well for the way we want to play.

‘We have other alternatives in that we can play Gabriel Martinelli up front as well.’

The Gunners have some massive fixtures coming up in January as they prepare to face top-four rivals Newcastle United, Tottenham and Manchester United.

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