Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli has named the two defenders he finds especially hard to beat: Manchester City’s Kyle Walker and Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate.
Gabriel Martinelli Names Walker And Konate As Toughest Opponents
In an interview with Men in Blazers, Martinelli, 23, emphasised his admiration for the two defenders, especially in one-on-one situations.
When asked about his toughest opponents he has faced in the Premier League, he replied, “It has to be Walker and Konate from Liverpool. They are both tough to beat.”
Martinelli explained that his approach in these battles is largely instinctive. “It’s instinct, I just see how he is, how his body is, and I just try to do what I do and try to beat him.”
📊| Ibrahima Konaté has won 21/21 of duels against Gabriel Martinelli.
pic.twitter.com/Y2QFQyLVyz https://t.co/E00EABrlTw— 𝗞𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗙𝗖 (@KonateFC) October 28, 2024
Gabriel Martinelli Addresses Arsenal Form
With only two wins in their last seven games across all competitions, Arsenal’s form has dwindled, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side trailing Liverpool by nine points after 11 league games.
Despite the challenging period, Martinelli remains optimistic about Arsenal’s title chances.
“We have a really good team, really good players,” Martinelli said. “We’ve been second two seasons in a row, and we want to make it this year. We know our qualities, we know we can do it; it’s just about being calm. The season is long, we’re still at the beginning.”
Acknowledging the need to take each game as it comes, Martinelli said, “We have to go game-by-game. It’s really difficult, we have to try to win all of them to be champions. We trust in ourselves, and we go for it.”
Declan Rice insists it’s very important for Arsenal to win a trophy this season:
“It’s so important. I say that strongly. This team has been close now in the Premier League for the last two years. Last year was the first season back in the Champions League and we got to the… pic.twitter.com/Q6nolP68UE
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) November 12, 2024
Gabriel Martinelli Credits Mikel Arteta’s Influence
Since Arteta took over as Arsenal’s manager in December 2019, Martinelli has been one of the young players to benefit significantly from the Spaniard’s coaching.
Reflecting on his growth under Arteta, the Brazilian international, now an important player in Arsenal’s lineup, noted the impact of Arteta’s guidance on his technical skills.
“When he got here, I was 19,” Martinelli recalled. “We’ve been through the process with the team, not just me, but he has helped every single player in the squad. For me, he was also really important in helping me with my game.”
Martinelli credited Arteta for specific technical advice that transformed his approach, particularly his ability to use both feet on the left wing.
“When I’m on the left, I used to control the ball with my right foot, and when he came, he said, ‘No, try to control the ball with your left so you can take the opponent on,’” Martinelli shared.
“Since that day, I’ve tried to do it, and nowadays I do it every time, so it’s super easy for me.”
As Arsenal face a packed fixture schedule, Martinelli is gearing up for a busy winter period. The Gunners’ next league game comes at home against a high-flying Nottingham Forest side managed by Nuno Espirito Santo.
The game could mark the start of what could be a critical run as Arsenal work to keep pace with Premier League title frontrunners Liverpool.
