Gabriel Martinelli was left out of an Arsenal starting XI in the Premier League for the first time this season with January arrival Leandro Trossard preferred to him against Aston Villa. The Brazilian has gradually seen his minutes reduced with Trossard coming on for several bright cameos and for the clash at Villa Park, Mikel Arteta opted to hand the Belgian his first start.
A blistering start to the campaign for Martinelli, with three goals in his first five games, gradually began to slow and prior to the clash against Villa, the Brazilian international had gone six games without a goal. His dip in from in front of goal gave Trossard the chance to impress after he scored his first Arsenal goal in the 1-1 draw against Brentford.
The versatile attacker signed from Brighton had some bright moments in Birmingham but was mostly anonymous before being replaced with 22 minutes to go with the game level at 2-2.
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Martinelli immediately had a positive impact on the game. He was direct and full of energy causing Matty Cash significant problems. For Arsenal's third goal of the game, Martinelli had weighted a pass perfectly to Jorginho and would have been awarded an assist had his effort been two inches lower.
The second half substitute did get his goal contribution though and it was one that ended his scoring drought as he raced onto Fabio Vieira's pass with an open goal in front of him with Emi Martinez caught at the other end trying to help Villa steal a last gasp point.
Knowing it was practically impossible for him to miss, Martinelli began celebrating before the ball had crossed the line throwing his arms in the air — just as Ross Barkley did for Everton in 2017 and Tomas Rosicky for Borussia Dortmund in 2006.
The early celebration certainly rubbed salt into Villa wounds and while delighting those of an Arsenal persuasion it would have likely annoyed those with a love for Villa. Based on this, it was rather understandable that his celebration, which many saw as disrespectful, did not please ex-Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking on talkSPORT, at first praising Arsenal, he said: “I thought Arsenal were impressive second half. They didn’t turn up first half but second half, they were relentless. Saka, getting at players. Xhaka, Odegaard was finding space and Arsenal thoroughly deserved the win.
“But there was part of the game I didn’t like. I didn’t like Martinelli for me, running through, empty net and he’s celebrating before he puts the ball in the back of the net.
“He’s been rubbish for a month and he’s scoring a tap-in and celebrating before he’s even scored. [It’s a] lack of respect for your teammates. I didn’t like it.”
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