Mikel Arteta after Arsenal’s draw with Fulham (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Arsenal legend Paul Merson has slammed Gunners striker Gabriel Martinelli for not staying in the game as Bukayo Saka’s goal at Craven Cottage was ruled out following a review by the VAR.
Saka thought he had got a late winner for the Gunners at Fulhambut Martinelli had just been placed offside before crossing the ball to the England international.
Speaking on the expert serve afterwards, Merson was less than impressed with the Brazilian for his lack of intelligence at this key moment.
Arsenal scored ‘AVERAGE’ without *this* player!
Watch below as the former Arsenal man hits out at Martinelli and suggests he will get the ear of manager Mikel Arteta in the dressing room after the game…
?? “In footballing terms, what Martinelli has done is criminal”
Paul Merson shares his thoughts on Arsenal’s disallowed goal… pic.twitter.com/f8zq7O803g
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 8, 2024
Martinelli is a good player when he is on his game, but he hasn’t had the best season for Arsenaland fans will no doubt be frustrated by his actions here.
The quality of Martinelli’s cross for Saka shows the good side of the 23-year-old’s game, but Merson is right that a player of his caliber should have been able to wait and hold the run because of his perfect view of the Fulham side. line
Arsenal miss out on a huge chance in the Premier League title race
Arsenal could have increased the pressure on Liverpool with a win at Fulham today, moving to just four points off the Premier League leaders.
Liverpool dropped points with a 3-3 draw at Newcastle in midweek, and their game against Everton this weekend had to be postponed due to dangerous stormy weather.
If Martinelli had just kept his run going it could have made all the difference, and margins as good as this could be what we look back on at the end of the season if we ever see first and second place separated by just a point or two again . .
Arsenal will have to make sure they don’t suffer any more mistakes and hope that LFC have a bad run of their own at some point, even if there aren’t many signs of that at the moment.
