Matty Cash has praised the ‘brilliant’ Gabriel Martinelli ahead of Arsenal’s visit to Aston Villa on Saturday, as he told talkSPORT.
The Villa right-back shared that he does analyse his opponents and goes on ‘YouTube’ to watch them – and he will be doing the same with Arsenal’s flyer on the left-flank.
Whilst ninth-placed Villa don’t have much to play for this season, those in Arsenal colours are deep in a fight to secure Champions League football.
When they visit Villa Park for the lunchtime kick-off, it will be their third game in six days and three days after their 2-0 defeat to Liverpool.
Ahead of the match, Cash was asked about facing Martinelli at the weekend and whether he analyses those tricky wingers he has to face on a weekly basis.
“I do (analyse my opponents),” said Cash. “It’s a big part of what I do. I go on Youtube and I have a look. You see the games, week in and week out.
“Obviously, Martinelli is brilliant, but I just try to make it as hard as I can for them.
“So, hopefully, they are having the same conversations that I am having. They are good players and hopefully, they are saying too, ‘he’s tough to come up against’, which is what I try to do best.
“Nah, he’s a good player. But I am going to try and stop him.”
Liverpool proved to be too good for Arsenal at the Emirates, but one man that stood out for the home side was Martinelli.
The 20-year-old caused Trent Alexander-Arnold all sorts of problems and he will be looking to take that form with him to the West Midlands.
This is a dangerous game for the north London outfit because they are expected to win, away from home against a team that has a strong attack and doesn’t have much to play for.
Added with that, their midweek game would have taken a lot out of them, whilst Villa last played on Sunday, so these are the types of matches you need to win if you want top four.
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