Mikel Arteta praises decision-making of Arsenal player against Sheffield United
|Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has appreciated the recent performance of Gabriel Martinelli in the club’s 1-1 draw against Sheffield United in the Premier League.
The teenager was handed with his first start since recovering from a hamstring injury and he played on the left wing in the absence of the suspended Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Martinelli only managed to complete nine of his 15 passes attempted throughout the game but he was still able to make an impact as he scored the opening goal in the 45th minute after a perfectly-timed run into the six-yard box.
Following the break, Martinelli had another frustrating period with limited touches of the ball but he continued to impress with his regular closing down of the opposition players and this attitude has certainly impressed Arteta.
“He’s an 18-year-old kid with all the enthusiasm but as well, he’s so brave to make decisions, to threaten the opponent every time. He’s all the time in the middle of the goal, waiting for an opportunity to come. The fact he hasn’t played 90 minutes for a while – since his injury – but is still in the way he went about every single action is impressive,” he told.
Martinelli was able to complete the entire 90 minutes in his first start since his return from a hamstring concern and he will need to make a quick recovery, considering the Chelsea game is around the corner.
With Aubameyang suspended for another two domestic games for his sending off at Palace, Martinelli will be expected to continue on the left side of the attack, particularly with Reiss Nelson on the sidelines with a fresh hamstring injury.
The Brazilian will, however, need extra help from the senior players in the squad and Alexandre Lacazette’s form remains a concern ahead of the London derby, given he has failed to score for seven straight matches in all competitions.