‘I was a bit afraid’: £90k-a-week Arsenal player admits he was scared right at the start of yesterday’s match

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Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli has admitted he was ‘a bit afraid’ that his goal against Liverpool was offside yesterday.

Speaking to the club’s official website after the match, Martinelli was delighted with his side’s performance.

Martinelli opened the scoring within a minute at the Emirates, making a fantastic run behind Trent Alexander-Arnold.

A pass from Martin Odegaard – his first assist of the season – found the sprinting Brazilian, and he made no mistake slotting past Alisson.

Arsenal couldn’t have asked for a better start to the match, although Liverpool equalised through Darwin Nunez.

Martinelli was involved in Arsenal’s second goal just before the break.

His tantalising pass across the box was poked in by the outstretched leg of Bukayo Saka.

However, Martinelli has admitted that he was ‘afraid’ yesterday about whether his goal was going to count.

Martinelli: ‘To be fair I was a bit afraid’

Speaking after the match, Martinelli said: “To be fair I was a bit afraid, I think B (Bukayo Saka) was offside – no he wasn’t offside, but they were checking B for offside.

“But it was a great feeling, and the assist after, just before the end of the first half. I think we deserved the win and I’m so happy.”

There’s certainly an argument that Martinelli is Arsenal’s highest potential young player.

The idea of the Brazilian and Saka on either wing for the foreseeable future at The Emirates is incredibly exciting.

The £90,000-per-week winger’s Arsenal contract runs out in 2024.

However, Football London believe Arsenal hold a two-year option to extend his deal.

Arteta called Martinelli a ‘nightmare to play against’ after the match, and it’s easy to see why.

His four goals and two assists this season is a brilliant return from the wing.

Martinelli admission that he was afraid yesterday after his goal shows that the players are just as worried about VAR as the fans.

However, this Arsenal team look a serious threat this season, and once again saw off a brilliant side to pick up three points.