Gabriel Martinelli ‘faces Mikel Arteta consequences at Arsenal for Fulham error’
Gabriel Martinelli is unlikely to have done his chances of forcing his way back into the Arsenal starting XI any favours after his crucial error against Fulham.
It has been a tough season so far for the Brazilian, who has scored only four goals and provided just three assists in 20 appearances (Transfermarkt).
Many Gunners fans have already been left frustrated by his performances at times during the campaign, as their title challenge has faltered.
Now, one moment in the 1-1 draw with Fulham on Sunday (8 December), is unlikely to have made things any easier for the Arsenal man.
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Having started in the win over Man United in midweek, Martinelli was dropped to the bench from the start against the Cottagers.
After his side fell behind early on to a Raul Jiminez goal the Gunners equalised when William Saliba turned in Kai Havertz’s header from a corner shortly after half-time.
Martinelli was then brought on for Arsenal with 60 minutes gone, and looked as though he had helped them to win the game late on when his deep cross was headed in at the back post by Bukayo Saka.
Replays though, then showed that the winger had been offside when he received the ball from a cross-field pass, prompting VAR to rule the goal out for offside.
That denied the Gunners two vital points in the title race, meaning they remain six adrift of Liverpool, who have a game in hand, in the title race.
Martinelli’s mistimed move therefore proved extremely costly for Arsenal, and speaking on Sky Sports, Paul Merson suggested the winger would “be on the end of one in the dressing room” from Mikel Arteta.
This is therefore not going to do the 23-year-old any favours when it comes to forcing his way back into the starting XI.
Not only is he struggling to have the required impact in terms of goal contributions this season, he is now making other errors that are costing his team as well.
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Given his turn of the pace, plus the fact he was in a position to see down the line of defence and how he needed to time his run, it should not have been hard for the winger to stay onside.
Arteta could consequently be left to question whether he can rely on Martinelli to produce the goods that are needed to be successful in the title when the margin for error is so tiny.
It is already understood that Arsenal are keen to sign a winger in January, and the Brazilian’s error may push the Gunners boss further towards such a move, to avoid a repeat of this in the future.
That would of course, likely then push the 23-year-old further down the pecking order at The Emirates Stadium.
With that in mind, this error from Martinelli against Fulham may have significant implications for the role he plays in Arteta’s side going forward this season and beyond.
In other news, Arsenal fans have taken aim at one defender after his performance against Fulham.
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