One Arsenal player surely cost his place vs Man City with ‘dreadful’ moment during Atalanta draw

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Arsenal did not secure the win that they desired in the opening fixture of the Champions League against Atalanta.

Mikel Arteta would have liked to have secured a victory in Bergamo ahead of Arsenal’s trip to battle Manchester City on match day five of the Premier League. 

Instead, the Gunners were held to a 0-0 draw in the Champions League, just like City who experienced a stalemate against Inter Milan. 

Arsenal were tactically matched by Atalanta in their Champions League opener, seeing a host of stars struggle against the 2024 Europa League winners.

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Gabriel Martinelli missed the chance to score against Atalanta

One player who suffered at the hands of Gian Piero Gasperini’s tactical brilliance was Gabriel Martinelli, who really needed a goal. 

The Brazilian has been searching for form for some time now at Arsenal, not coming close to replicating the highs he experienced back in 2022/23.

Having not scored for the Gunners in 17 games, Martinelli could have ended his dismal streak in the final third against Atalanta, but it wasn’t meant to be.

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In the 74th minute, the 23-year-old had Arsenal’s best chance of the game to take the lead, an opportunity that he’d ordinarily score, with his miss branded ‘dreadful’ by Leon Osman on BBC Radio 5 Live. 

“From open play I think Martinelli’s chance is the biggest of the game. The ball propelled into his path, it’s a good first touch but a dreadful effort.”

The chance came out of nothing as Raheem Sterling found a burst of pace through the centre before the ball ricocheted into Martinelli’s path, to which the chance ended after his first touch.

The winger got the ball under control expertly, only to rush the shot and fire his effort over the bar, a finish that reinforced the problems he’s having in front of goal. 

Martinelli was poor again for Arsenal

Martinelli is in desperate need of a goal to pull him out of his lapse in confidence, as the forward will be of great use to Arteta once he returns to his full potential.

Unfortunately, the wait to see such quality continues, as the 23-year-old had another forgettable performance in red and white against Atalanta.

As seen above, Martinelli was largely ineffective on the flank, which in fairness could be said about Arsenal’s entire attack, who were well marshalled by the hosts.

What will haunt the Brazil international is the perfect chance he had to score what could have been the match winner and a goal that could’ve changed the trajectory of his season.

It was an unfortunate moment for the wide player, who may have cost his chance to start against City, as Arteta prepares to craft his best XI for the blockbuster showdown.

Chances will come for Martinelli to rediscover his form however, the opportunity may not come against Pep Guardiola’s side, where the Gunners must be at their very best.