Gabriel Martinelli found himself at the center of controversy after attempting to push the injured Conor Bradley off the pitch during Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool on Thursday. The action drew heavy criticism, and the 24-year-old winger later issued an apology on social media.
Despite the backlash, Martinelli’s approach to the situation impressed his manager, Mikel Arteta. Speaking about the incident, Arteta highlighted that the player understood his own intentions and handled the attention with maturity. Arteta also commended Liverpool boss Arne Slot for publicly defending Martinelli, emphasizing that there was no ill intent behind the incident.
Hat-trick hero against portsmouth
Martinelli quickly bounced back from the criticism with a standout performance in Arsenal’s FA Cup clash against Portsmouth on Sunday. Scoring his first-ever hat-trick for the club, he helped the Gunners overturn a deficit and secure progression to the fourth round.
Arteta praised the display, noting that it reflected Martinelli’s strong character. The manager stressed that football requires players to demonstrate resilience and bounce back from mistakes, using the winger’s response as a prime example.
Mixed season but key contributor
This season has seen Martinelli experience ups and downs. A dip in form and confidence led to him losing his starting spot in the Premier League to Leandro Trossard, with only six league starts so far. However, the Brazilian has remained influential in the Champions League, netting five goals in as many appearances.
After the hat-trick against Portsmouth, Martinelli now leads Arsenal’s scoring charts. Arteta emphasized the importance of having a strong personality when playing for a top club, pointing out that players need to recover quickly from setbacks and continue contributing on the pitch. He concluded by praising Martinelli’s work ethic and consistent attitude in every situation.
