Gary Neville says Arsenal star was upset with Arteta decision vs Liverpool

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Gary Neville noticed that Gabriel Martinelli was not best pleased with Mikel Arteta at one stage during the second-half as Arsenal beat Liverpool on Sunday.

Gabriel Martinelli had a huge say in the 3-1 win which throws the Premier League title race wide open. Martinelli should have set up the opening goal for Bukayo Saka during the first-half, but Saka missed the chance to head home.

But the Brazilian did score the crucial second Arsenal goal. He capitalised on a mix-up between Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker to tap the ball into an empty net from the edge of the box.

Gary Neville says Gabriel Martinelli was frustrated to come off in Arsenal win

Martinelli looked a lot more like his old self against Liverpool. So that may explain why he was visibly annoyed when he was taken off for Leandro Trossard towards the end of the game.

Speaking on Sky Sports (broadcast on 4/2; 18:03), Gary Neville said he understood why Martinelli did not want to leave the field, before discussing the mix up between van Dijk and Alisson.

“I’m not surprised he’s upset. He’s been such a threat. [The second goal] won’t happen too many times,” he said.

“They’re two such great players. There’s a quality and respect, they’re not going to rip each other and say what the hell were you doing.”

Winger is probably enjoying his football

Liverpool actually went into Sunday’s clash with the best defensive record in the Premier League. But you would not have known that from how their backline performed.

Arsenal gave them all sorts of problems. And Martinelli was perhaps the most impressive of the lot. Certainly, he seemed to have plenty of joy up against Ibrahima Konate and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

It has been a difficult campaign for Martinelli so far. All of the Arsenal attack have struggled to replicate their form from last season. And the 22-year-old is no exception.

But he now appears to be finding his best form again. So it is hardly surprising that he wanted to stay out there on Sunday.