Martinelli signing offers Inzaghi a movable attacking piece at Al Hilal

Gabriel Martinelli’s arrival at Al Hilal from Arsenal has prompted questions among the club’s supporters, but the debate is not centred on the Brazilian’s reputation or ability. Instead, it focuses on where he will play, with Crysencio Summerville already occupying the left-wing position in Simone Inzaghi’s squad.

At first glance, the deal appears to give Al Hilal two players competing for the same place. That has led to an obvious question: why did the club sign another left winger, and was a new player in that position really necessary?

A broader assessment of Martinelli’s qualities, however, suggests his value may extend well beyond his preferred role.

The Brazilian has produced some of his best football from the left during his time with Arsenal, but he is not restricted to one area of the pitch. He can also operate on the right and has the attributes to take up more central attacking positions, including the role of a false nine.

That versatility could give Inzaghi considerably more freedom when shaping his side from one match to the next. Rather than adding a player tied to a single position on the tactical board, Al Hilal have brought in an attacker capable of changing his location and moving into different areas during a game.

Martinelli’s ability to attack space is one of his most significant strengths. He can accelerate with the ball, exploit the space behind an opposition defence and move quickly from defensive situations into attack.

Those characteristics could be particularly valuable for Al Hilal when they need to turn possession or a regain into a rapid and dangerous forward move. His movement can also draw defenders away from their positions and create room for team-mates, rather than relying solely on an individual attempt to beat an opponent from the flank.

Summerville’s presence does not necessarily mean Martinelli’s arrival will create an unwanted logjam on the left. The Dutchman also has enough flexibility to move between different positions, meaning the pair could provide Inzaghi with contrasting tactical solutions rather than simply duplicating each other.

The Italian coach could use one player wide while asking the other to switch to the opposite flank or move into a deeper, more central area. The choice would depend on the nature of the match and the defensive approach adopted by the opposition.

The importance of Martinelli and Summerville to Al Hilal may lie not only in their ability to create attacking danger, but also in how closely their qualities match the demands of modern football.

Al Hilal are not merely looking for a winger who stays on the touchline, waits for the ball and then attempts to dribble past a defender. The club wants players who can contribute to build-up play, press opponents, support the defence and quickly turn those actions into attacking momentum after possession is recovered.

From that perspective, Martinelli’s signing is more than the addition of another left-sided attacker. It reflects an attempt by Al Hilal to build a forward line with pace, flexibility and the ability to disrupt opposition defences, while still carrying out defensive and attacking responsibilities.

The deal may initially have appeared to create a problem because Summerville already plays in the same position. Yet Martinelli’s capacity to move between roles changes that interpretation.

The central question is no longer why Al Hilal signed another left winger. It is how effectively Inzaghi can use two players who are capable of operating in several positions while contributing with similar intensity in attack and defence.

What began as a debate about an apparent positional overlap could therefore become one of Al Hilal’s most important tactical strengths in the new season.