Arsenal will not be satisfied with their recent 1-1 draw with Fulham on week 15 of the Premier League season.
Mikel Arteta admitted he always wants more from his team following the Gunners’ draw at Craven Cottage.
Taking just a point away from the London derby was yet another blow for Arsenal’s title hopes, marking the seventh time Arteta’s side have dropped points this season.
It wasn’t all negatives as Arsenal matched a 15-year record as they netted from a set-piece once again however, William Saliba’s goal stood solely as an equaliser.
Ally McCoist slams Gabriel Martinelli after Fulham offside
Momentarily, there was belief that Saliba’s goal was the beginning of Arsenal’s comeback, as the Gunners scored just before the 90th minute to go ahead late on.
Bukayo Saka converted Gabriel Martinelli’s cross in front of the away fans to put the visitors ahead however, VAR crashed the North Londoners’ party.
It became clear that Martinelli was offside before playing the ball over to Saka, seeing the match-winner chalked off to Arteta’s disappointment.
Paul Merson dubbed Martinelli’s positioning ‘criminal’ upon reviewing the chance to win the game, with the pundit’s opinion just one of many comments regarding the Brazilian’s mistake.
On talkSPORT, Ally McCoist failed to hide his disbelief at the 23-year-old’s decision-making, stressing that Martinelli’s error was inexcusable.
“It was a brilliant delivery in from Martinelli but there’s no excuse for him being offside, none,” McCoist said to Jeff Stelling.
“He’s looking right across the line, it drives me crazy when wide men go offside when the ball comes from the opposite side, they can see everything in the line so just stay onside.”
It’s not the first time that Martinelli has been criticised this season and certainly won’t be the last, as patience in the winger is being put to the test.
Trust in Martinelli is running thin
Merson and McCoist weren’t the only figures unhappy with the winger as Arsenal fans fumed at Martinelli after the Gunners’ draw.
The general consensus is that the winger not only cost Arsenal the game against Fulham but, is not offering Arteta enough in general.
| Apps | Goals | Assists | |
| 2022/23 | 46 | 15 | 6 |
| 2023/24 | 44 | 8 | 5 |
| 2024/25 | 20 | 4 | 3 |
There’s a subtle feeling that the manager is feeling the same, as suggested by the Spaniard dropping Martinelli in recent weeks to allow Leandro Trossard to prove his worth.
After a tremendous 2022/23 campaign, the winger has simply failed to progress, with his numbers in the final third displaying such.
It was only earlier in the week that Martinelli was ineffective against Manchester United, spelling a problem for Arteta who is struggling to get the best out of the 23-year-old.
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