Certain players love turning up for certain type of fixtures, regardless of how tough they are and that was the case for Gabriel Martinelli after Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday.
The rising Brazil star just seems to love playing against Liverpool and he proved that again by scoring the decisive goal at the Emirates on Sunday.
Yes, it was a mix-up between Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker, but Gabriel Martinelli can only finish off what is being served on a plate to him.
As Michael Owen alluded to, the 22-year-old was Arsenal’s ‘most dangerous player’ as he caused Liverpool’s backline, including Ibrahima Konate, all sorts of problems, as he told Premier League Productions (04/02/24 at 6:45 pm).
At one point, Gabriel Martinelli was in a foot race with the Liverpool centre-back out on the left flank and he absolutely ripped the Frenchman up with his sheer speed before Bukayo Saka failed to convert from his cross.
That was just a sign of things to come from the £180k-a-week star and another example that he is back to his best.
Whilst Micahel Owen admitted that he was ‘surprised’ to see Mikel Arteta bring Gabriel Martinelli off, in the end, it worked because his replacement, Leandro Trossard, scored his side’s third.
Gabriel Martinelli v Liverpool
“He probably deserved a goal as well, didn’t he,” said Owen about Martinelli.
“I thought he was their most dangerous player. I was really surprised as well to see him come off.”
Gabriel Martinelli back to his best
It wasn’t so long ago that Martinelli was being dropped to the bench and many were questioning his form and how he had dropped off from the previous campaign.
But those two goals against Crystal Palace from the bench seemed to have done him the world of good because he is now looking like his old self.
That’s a good sign for Arsenal as they enter a very crucial period in this enthralling Premier League title race.
If Martinelli has left his best form till last, then it’s a brilliant sign for the London club and their quest to become champions of England again.
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