Gabriel Martinelli has been in the eye of a storm since Arsenal slumped to a 1-1 draw against Fulham on Sunday.
The Gunners’ Premier League title hopes sustained another blow at Craven Cottage.
However, Mikel Arteta will have briefly believed that his side had been able to snatch a late winner in West London.
In the dying moments, Arsenal found the back of the net, as Bukayo Saka prodded home at the far post after connecting with Gabriel Martinelli’s cross.
Arsenal hearts were swiftly broken though, as a VAR review revealed that the Brazilian winger had strayed offside earlier in the move before picking out Saka.
Paul Merson called Martinelli’s error “criminal,” as the attacker had the advantage of being able to look across the entire Fulham defensive line from his vantage point on the flank, and ought to have been able to hold his run in order to remain onside.
Darren Bent sides with Paul Merson against Gabriel Martinelli
Darren Bent has now sided with the Arsenal legend’s assessment of this situation.
Speaking on talkSPORT, the former Tottenham Hotspur striker explained why Martinelli ought to have been able to avoid this mistake and what he must do in future to ensure that he doesn’t repeat it in future.
He said: “If you’re a wide player, you’re in the perfect position. Everyone is inside, the full-back has gone inside, so the space is in behind down on your left-hand side. Where people are getting so frustrated with Martinelli is that we all know he wants to utilise that space, he wants to run into that open space, he can give himself two yards.
“That’s the annoying part, you cannot be offside… These guys are quick, so they can give the defender two yards and still get in there because that’s where the space is.
That’s the most frustrating part and the way Paul Merson slated him. Top wide players in that position, look at someone like [Mo] Salah, he’s never offside in that position… Martinelli is so eager to get in there that he’s always going to be offside.”
Arsenal fans slam Martinelli for offside blunder vs Fulham
Martinelli came under fire from Arsenal fans for his overall performance against Fulham.
Many supporters of the North London club on X are still taking aim at the 23-year-old for his offside breach.
One said: “Martinelli doesn’t need to be offside here, he has to improve his decision making He is not a kid anymore.”
Another stated: “All on martinelli this, criminal to be offside in that position.”
Another Arsenal supporter claimed: “Martinelli sees the line, and still standing offside.. absolutely criminal.”
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