Rob Green lauded Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli on BBC Radio 5 Live (2/12, 21:33) for providing a threat throughout their 3-2 defeat at Manchester United on Thursday night.
Mikel Arteta gave Martinelli a starting role at Old Trafford with Bukayo Saka only fit enough for the bench. The England star had suffered a thigh injury against Newcastle last Saturday.
Saka had started Arsenal’s last 12 Premier League fixtures, while Martinelli had only played 37-minutes in total since August 22. He also spent seven games as an unused substitute.
Martinelli made 26 of his minutes since starting August’s loss to Chelsea against Newcastle, too. But the 20-year-old sent Arteta a message by scoring their vital second over the Toon.
The Olympic gold medallist continued his creative run on Thursday to lay on an assist at Old Trafford. Martinelli found Martin Odegaard on the edge of the Manchester United area on 54-minutes with a first-time cross to draw Arsenal back level after Cristiano Ronaldo’s first.
Martinelli kept his head up to spot Odegaard’s movement as he waited for Thomas Partey’s pass out wide. His delivery was then inch-perfect for the Norwegian to score their second.
Former West Ham and England goalkeeper Green loved what Martinelli offered Arsenal at Manchester United. He also admired the way the Gunners’ responded to falling behind.
“What a response,” Green said. “They responded well to going behind the first time, this is even better. Martinelli has provided a threat down the right all evening.
“He provides the cross into Odegaard. Ronaldo’s finish was crisp and sharp, this one slightly shanked but it is accurate.”
Should Martinelli keep Arsenal starting role after Manchester United display?
Martinelli will hope his performance at Manchester United was enough to impress Arsenal boss Arteta, as well as Green.
The Brazilian started each of the Gunners’ first two Premier League fixtures this season, but had not opened one since.
His roles against Brentford and Chelsea in August were also aided by Arteta being without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.
The £90k-a-week star will now hope to open back-to-back games again when the Gunners visit Everton on Monday night.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
