Freddie Ljungberg has said on BT Sports 3 (10:23pm, April 29, 2021) that Gabriel Martinelli was amazing for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal last night.
Martinelli did not start for Arsenal in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie against Villarreal away from home in Spain on Thursday evening.
The 19-year-old forward came on as a substitute for Martin Odegaard in the 63rd minute, as the Gunners lost 2-1.
Former Arsenal star and interim-manager Ljungberg believes that the Brazilian teenager played well after coming on, and he has also raved about him, having worked with him at the North London club.
Ljungberg said about Martinelli on BT Sports 3 (10:23pm, April 29, 2021): “I thought he was amazing when he came on. The energy he gives, he runs everywhere, he is really awkward to play against. He trains really, really well.”
How did Gabriel Martinelli play?
Martinelli is fit and available at the moment, but Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is not playing him regularly.
It did come as a surprise that the Brazilian did not start or come on earlier than he did.
The teenager looked sharp and quick after coming on and made Arsenal more threatening.
Martinelli played as a proper number nine, and his performance will lead many Arsenal fans to wonder why Arteta did not include him in the starting lineup.
According to WhoScored, Martinelli had a pass accuracy of 66.7%, won two headers, took 12 touches, and made one tackle.
Martinelli has made five starts and five substitute appearances in the Premier League and has made five substitute appearances in the Europa League for Arsenal this season, according to WhoScored.
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