Mikel Arteta reacts to Gabriel Martinelli’s display in Arsenal defeat

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Mikel Arteta has insisted that Gabriel Martinelli can be really proud of his performance in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup tie, and claimed that he plays his game like no-one else – in comments reported by Football London.

Martinelli recently made his return to the first-team after several months out. He came on during the latter stages of the Gunners’ trip to Everton at the weekend.

Arteta decided that he was ready to start on Tuesday as Manchester City travelled to the Emirates. Unfortunately, it proved to be a hugely disappointing evening for Arsenal.

They were beaten 4-1. It looks set to be a pivotal night for a number of players for the wrong reasons. But there is no question that Martinelli was the shining light for the Gunners.

The Brazilian was excellent before coming off with a knock at the start of the second-half. It was his cross that allowed Alexandre Lacazette to initially equalise.

And while the result managed to add to the pressure on Arteta, the Arsenal boss suggested that he could not be happier with Martinelli’s contribution.

“I think Gabi has a unique energy and a way to transmit his passion for the game,” he said, as reported by Football London. “I think he plays the game in a different way to any other player, we can’t compare him. But what we have to say that it’s great to have him back.

“To bring that spirit and that fight. And to play against this opponent the way he did it in that first half, I think that it’s something to be really proud and happy with.”

It does appear that the 19-year-old is going to play a crucial role for the side over the coming weeks. His return has injected some much-needed positivity into Arsenal’s ranks.

Of course, Arteta will be wary of putting too much pressure on the forward – who earns £90,000-a-week, according to Spotrac. It is easy to forget – because of the impact he has made – he has only made six Premier League starts. And he is still getting back to full fitness.

On paper, there is no question that Arsenal have the quality to get themselves out of their current rut. Martinelli’s return is threatening to be the catalyst they desperately needed.