Mikel Arteta picks out one Arsenal player for praise, after Manchester United loss

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Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on Arsenal attacker Gabriel Martinelli following his side’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Thursday evening, as per Football London.

The Gunners came into the match having suffered defeat just once in their last 12 league and cup outings – and that was against Liverpool. They took the lead, controversially, through Emile Smith-Rowe.

But United looked more of a threat and Bruno Fernandes equalised just before half time. Not long after the interval, Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 800th goal with a neat finish into the bottom corner.

The topsy-turvy nature of the fixture saw Arsenal go down the other end and make it 2-2. A quick, incisive move saw Martinelli pull one back for Martin Odegaard to net – but he went from hero to zero.

The Norway international was then guilty of conceding a penalty, fouling Fred – and Ronaldo made it 801. Speaking after the match, Arteta chose to praise Martinelli – labelling him a threat.

“He looked a threat. He had a big chance in the first half. He had some extremely good moments,” Arteta said about Martinelli, in his post-match press conference – as per FL.

Arteta on Martinelli: Does he keep his place with Saka now fit?

Bukayo Saka came off the bench on Thursday and is likely to be fit enough to start against Everton on Monday night at Goodison Park. So, does £90,000-a-week (Spotrac) Martinelli keep his place in the side?

Smith-Rowe certainly does, and Odegaard was excellent at times – other than conceding a penalty. The one area in which Martinelli might stay, is replacing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up top.

The Gunners skipper looked off the pace against United and has now gone five Premier League matches without scoring. Saka on the right, Smith-Rowe on the left, Odegaard as a 10 behind Martinelli.