Paul Merson thinks Mikel Arteta will give Gabriel Martinelli a dressing-down (Picture: Sky Sports)
Paul Merson has slammed ‘criminal’ star Gabriel Martinelli after Arsenal were denied a dramatic winner in their 1-1 draw at Fulham on Sunday.
The Gunners fell 1-0 behind at Craven Cottage – and after William Saliba levelled things up – Bukayo Saka saw an 89th-minute goal ruled out.
VAR decided to chalk it off because Martinelli was deemed to be marginally offside in the build up, which has left Merson frustrated.
The Arsenal legend and football pundit told Sky Sports: ‘He is offside, but in footballing terms, that’s criminal from Martinelli.
‘You cannot be offside. You’re looking along the line. He’s got pace, he’s electric, so he’s not someone who trying to nick a yard and play right on the edge.
‘I’d be surprised if he isn’t on the end of one in the dressing room by the manager because he even knows. You could see it on his face after, he knows you can’t do that.
‘One thing when you look along that line – do not be offside. It’s as simple as that.’
Fulham FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Paul Merson says Gabriel Martinelli ‘knows you can’t do that’ (Picture: Getty)
Quizzed about what the 1-1 draw may mean for Arsenal in their Premier League title race with Liverpool, Merson added: ‘It’s not a good result.
‘It’s two points dropped. They were just hitting a little bit of a run and it was a nightmare at the end with the disallowed goal.
‘They needed to win this match. Advantage Liverpool. Arsenal could’ve gone four [points behind Liverpool] and that would’ve been a huge advantage for them.
‘Now, Liverpool have a game in hand and it’s a bad result. It is not an easy place to go, but if you want to win Premier League titles, you have to win at Craven Cottage.’
Arsenal, who now sit six points behind Liverpool, return to action on Wednesday with a Champions League home clash against Monaco.
Their next top-flight game comes on Saturday as they host Sean Dyche’s Everton at the Emirates.
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