Arteta furious with ’embarrassing’ Martinelli at Arsenal – pundit
Noel Whelan has blasted Arsenal starlet Gabriel Martinelli for his “embarrassing” theatrics in the 2-0 win over Leeds United.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Leeds striker suggested Mikel Arteta would be less than impressed with the 20-year-old’s behaviour when reviewing his performance.
Martinelli, who was a substitute for Arsenal today in their Premier League clash against Leicester City, was involved in a physical battle with young Leeds right-back Cody Drameh in Tuesday’s League Cup clash.
In one first-half clash, Martinelli went down clutching his face after making minimal contact with Drameh’s arm.
However, the officials did not signal a foul and play continued.
As reported by the Athletic’s Phil Hay, Arteta accused the Leeds man of elbowing the young winger’s face.
However, Whelan suggested it would be the Arsenal man facing his manager’s wrath after the game.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “You can’t get away with anything like that on TV. There are replays, slow motion, instant replay.
“It’s embarrassing, it’s embarrassing. He should be setting a better standard for himself and the club.
“Mikel Arteta was a very physical technical player for Arsenal and Everton, wherever he played. He put his foot in and he didn’t shy away from a challenge.
“I can’t imagine he is too happy looking back on it and the way he reacted. I think he wants a stronger side, a bit more bullish like the teammates he used to play with you know.
“A bit like Vieira and Petit, your Ray Parlours. If you had a mixture of that in Martinelli, you’d have a great player. You just drag yourself down into the gutter when you start doing things like that.
“The game’s changed a little bit. It has gone back into a bit more physical element which I think everyone’s enjoying.
“But when someone’s made a mistake, put a foot up high or something and you try and get them sent off or try and get them a yellow card when you’ve not even been touched, then it becomes really embarrassing.
“It looks bad on you and it looks bad on the club.”
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