Current Analogue
Anthony Gordon
Barcelona
BRSAdvanced Winger89
WF
Pace-led left-sided forward attacking space
Martinelli and Gordon are left-sided forwards whose games rest on acceleration, direct running and work without the ball. Martinelli made Arsenal's most runs in behind in 2024–25 and scored in five straight Champions League games in 2025–26; Gordon's speed drove Newcastle's breaks and ten Champions League goals that season. Club context, not style, explains much of their output.
Shared qualities
- Running in behind from the left
- Explosive pace in transition
- Defensive work rate
Main difference
Gordon finished 2025–26 as Newcastle's top scorer in all competitions before joining Barcelona, while most of Martinelli's 2025–26 goals came in the Champions League and FA Cup.