Gabriel Martinelli was Arsenal’s hero in a long-awaited victory against Manchester City. The Brazilian winger started on the substitute bench, but Mikel Arteta sent him onto the field as soon as the second half began in place of Leandro Trossard. As expected, the 22-year-old responded in the best way to his coach.
On a lackluster afternoon for Pep Guardiola’s team, which hardly bothered the goal defended by David Raya, the “Gunners” stepped on the accelerator in the second half and the reward came at the end. In the 86th minute, Thomas Partey read how Takehiro Tomiyasu was going up towards the area and threw a long ball for the Japanese, who found Kai Havertz in the area. The German, with his back to the goal, gave the opportunity to Martinelli, whose shot deflected off Nathan Aké and into Ederson’s fence.
READ MORE
++ Neymar welcomes the birth of his daughter Mavie
++ Goalkeeper Tiago Volpi scores again in the Mexican league
++ Jean Mota reaches 50 games for Inter Miami and celebrates: “Very happy here”
Mikel Arteta’s praise for Martinelli
“He has been saying for a few weeks that he was going to be for City. Obviously, we told him ‘Gabi it would be too soon for you’, and yesterday he told us: ‘Mister, I told them he was going to be ready for this.’ And it happened that after 30 minutes Leo felt something in his hamstrings. Then, when I turned around, he was already ready, wearing his uniform and saying ‘mister, I’m ready to go.’ “He has the joy of a child, his mentality is incredible at his age, and it is a joy to have him because today he was able to change the game and helped us a lot to win,” said Arteta when asked about Martinelli’s impact on the team. meeting.
Up the gunners!!!!!
— jose adalberto (@jmaganau) October 9, 2023
The native of Guarulhos had not played since the victory against Everton in September, when he had to leave the field after 24 minutes due to injury. His return is important news for the “Gunners”, who already missed him at the start of the UEFA Champions League.
Martinelli’s first goal of the season served to end a streak of 12 Premier League losses against City, who had not lost against Arteta in the league. With this result, the north London team reached its rival Tottenham at the top of the English first division, with 20 points each.
