Gabriel Martinelli training admission shared as Declan Rice opens up about Arsenal teammate

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Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli scored his first goal in over six months with the opener against Leicester City.

Mikel Arteta will be delighted that his side dug deep at the Emirates to seal a win against Leicester City late on in the Premier League. 

The Gunners were cruising against the Foxes in the first half, before two James Justin goals saw Arsenal’s lead squandered after the interval. 

Despite being overly dominant of the newly-promoted side, the hosts left it late to ensure three points remained in North London, helped by Wilfred Ndidi’s injury time own goal and Kai Havertz’s tap-in at the death.

• READ MORE: Five things we learned as Arsenal beat Leicester City 4-2 in dramatic Premier League victory

Declan Rice praises Gabriel Martinelli after goal vs Leicester City

Aside from allowing Leicester to find a way back into the game, Arteta will have plenty of positives to take from the result.

One of which is the performance of Gabriel Martinelli, who finally found the net after over six months in an Arsenal shirt. 

• READ MORE: Arsenal fans all have a lot to say about Gabriel Martinelli after Leicester City, they spot one thing

The Brazilian netted the opener against the Foxes, which stood for so much more than just the first goal in the game at the Emirates.

After the win, midfielder Declan Rice was quizzed on what the goal meant to his teammate, to which he opened up about Martinelli’s approach in training, via Football London.

“A goal, assist, probably two more chances he had, and he works every day in training on these type of chances, these runs, these finishes.”

“It was only a matter of time before he got back on the scoresheet, so I am delighted for him.”

It’s been a long time since Arsenal fans were wowed by Martinelli, who on his day can be one of Arteta’s strongest going forward, making his dip in form quite the concern.

Now that the Brazilian’s presence in front of goal has been restored, it’s hoped that the 23-year-old can finally build some form, with his teammates certainly backing him to do so.

Martinelli has full support at Arsenal

Since signing from Ituano as an unknown figure in 2019, Martinelli has made himself a household name in the Premier League, hitting top form over the 2022/23 calendar.

The winger contributed to an impressive 20 league goals that season, emphasising why his lack of form has been such a surprise.

• READ MORE: Gabriel Martinelli has just done something for Arsenal for first time in 208 days vs Leicester

Despite the extent of the confidence Martinelli was missing, Arteta stuck by the 23-year-old’s talent, paving the way for him to get on the scoresheet against Leicester, no matter how long it took.

Now, the forward has repaid the faith from the manager and those around him, with there great belief that the Brazil international can return to his former level in the final third.