By ABDI RASHID
Published: 11:45 EST, 8 December 2024 | Updated: 12:03 EST, 8 December 2024
Paul Merson has slammed one Arsenal star after the Gunners' title hopes took a hit at Fulham.
Mikel Arteta's were held to a 1-1 draw by the Cottagers to go six point adrift of Liverpool, who have played one game less.
Raul Jimenez opened the scoring with a superb strike against the run of play after 11 minutes and Arsenal got level seven minutes into the second-half thanks to William Saliba's second goal in a week.
The visitors thought they scored the winner when Bukayo Saka headed home from close-range late on, but it was ruled out as Gabriel Martinelli was offside in the build-up.
And Merson didn't hold back in his criticism of the Brazilian, claiming what he did was 'criminal'.
'In footballing terms its criminal what Martinelli has done, I can't express enough how in football terms you cannot be offside there,' Merson said.
'You're looking along the line, you've got pace, hes electric so he's not someone who needs to nick a yard and play right on the edge.
'He can give someone a yard or two. I'll be surprised if he isn't on the end of one in the dressing room when he gets in by the manager. He even knows you can see on his face after. You just cant be offside when youre looking along that line.
Gabriel MartinelliPaul Merson