Ex-Palace defender says Arsenal star is “almost impossible to defend against”

Mikel Arteta’s squad includes a man who is a terror for Premier League defenders. Gabriel Martinelli. According to former Crystal Palace defender Danny Gabbidon, he is a tough player to defend against due to his ability to play the ball with both feet.

Gabbidon made that admission after seeing Martinelli score a fantastic goal against Crystal Palace, a goal in which he switched the ball from his powerful right foot to his left before firing a shot past Palace’s goalie to break the stalemate in Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Crystal Palace.

You’re probably wondering: So, what did Gabbidon have to say? So, he explained via BBC, “When you’re a defender there, and you go up against a player who can go either way, it’s almost impossible to defend against.

“You look at the progression of Martinelli in and around the final third; his decision-making has got so much better. Always chooses the right option now. When to pass, when to shoot. It’s a fantastic finish. A goal of such quality.”

Gabriel Martinelli’s form a few weeks ago was put into question, but his resurgence in the absence of Nketiah (5 PL goals in 5 games) is underappreciated.

Fun fact: with 13 goals, he has one less goal than Marcus Rashord in the league. Notably, Arsenal have a 100% winning record when Gabriel Martinelli scores in the Premier League this season. What’s more remarkable is that Arsenal always win the following game after that as well! So who’s next? Leeds United it is then….

Daniel O

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Tags Danny Gabbidon Martinelli

17 Comments

  1. Martinelli has done really well this season, not only in terms of assists and goals, but in the prodigious work he does off the ball.I am not a stats person, but other than possibly Odegaard, I do not think any other Arsenal player has covered more ground?That apart, he seems capable of playing anywhere across the front three and he may end up through the middle as he develops physically.For 6m , apart from our graduates, he could turn out to be one of our Club’s best ever signings.

  2. Next round of games

    Man City Vs Liverpool 1:4
    Arsenal Vs Leeds United 7:1

    I saw this in a dream 😍

      1. My comment it’s about who’ll win this trophy if arsenal avoid the defeat at City they’ll became champions.

  3. He is a technically-gifted LW who has an adept weaker foot. It’s very difficult to steal the ball from him and he is very pacey

    All his goals were made in open play and I believe he is currently one of the best dribblers in EPL. I wouldn’t be surprised if a huge club make a 100+ M offer for him at the end of next season

    I hope Arsenal won’t ruin his game by pushing him to the right wing. We have seen that assigment didn’t work with Willian and Nelson

    1. Why would they push him out on the right to compete with Saka? If absolutely necessary, let’s say in the absence of Saka, Jesus would probably be the best alternative to cover the RW as it is the role he occupied for Man City.

      1. I’m afraid Martinelli will be assigned there if Saka gets injured, because Marquinhos isn’t around

  4. Grandad, I agree with you regarding Martinelli’s work rate and I believe he is becoming undroppable, unreadable and unplayable.

    What gives him that extra help, of course, is the teams are so frightened of Saka, it’s not unusual to see three or four players around him, creating the room for Martinelli and Odegaard.
    Add to that mix, Jesus and one can understand what Gabbidon is touching on.

    I also agree that Martinelli coukd be our best ever signing, at least in terms of output and loyalty.

    For my money, the one to beat, profit wise, has to be Nicolas Anelka…. he’s still producing brilliant young players years after the club plowed the profits from him into the Hales End Academy – surely the best academy in England?

  5. I wish the secret pf the, whenever Martinelli scores for Arsenal in the Epl this season Arsenal always won is not leaked.
    So too should not had been leaked is the secret of the next team that followed after Martinelli scored does lose to Arsenal.
    This is because when a working secret is leaked to become public knowledge, it may stop working. Or be working erratically henceforth with.
    But in this wish, I hope its the status quo that will remain for Arsenal till seasons end to help see them through to lift the Epl title trophy high as winners to us Gooners admiration..
    Meanwhile. Martinelli MUST learn to improved on his penalty shoot outs taking for Arsenal. To not have his kick saved or missed.
    His last penalty shoot outs kick missed at home against Sporting CP in the Europa League rd of 16 2nd leg match cost Arsenal the possibility of winning the Europa League Cup this season for the first time ever. And to add gloss to the Epl title that they will win this season. God’s willing.

    1. S A A I don’t suppose it has occurred to you, as it has to very many other Gooners, that the penalty miss by Martinelli that has made life so difficult for you to bear, has massively HELPED our Prem chase?

  6. Gabriel Martinelli’s biggest assets are undoubtedly his pace and directness. His willingness to use his weaker foot adds another element to his game that makes him a little less predictable but having played at RB myself back when I was younger it’s the pace that is the biggest and scariest part of his game. I would always fancy myself defending against anyone, especially someone like Antony at Man Utd who has his silly tricks, even if they were two-footed. Someone like Martinelli will simply burn you for pace. And because he is so direct you’ve only got to get out of position or switch off for a second and he’s behind you and once he’s gone he’s almost impossible to run down. Add to that his finishing is really very good I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get 20+ next season.

  7. Martinelli might score hattrick in each of the remaining 10 games and the media will still refuse to unglue themselves from Man City, Liverpool, Man Utd and Totty unlighted back. It’s up to us, the fan base to push the issue in hand. White, Saliba, Partey, Odegaard, Saka and Martinelli are easily my nominations for team of the season.

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