ITV pundit, Ian Wright looks on prior to the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2 match between Republic of Ireland and England at Aviva S...
ITV pundit, Ian Wright looks on prior to the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2 match between Republic of Ireland and England at Aviva S...
Arsenal were frustrated again at the weekend as they drew 1-1 with Fulham at Craven Cottage.
That’s the third game running that Arsenal have dropped points against Fulham, and on Sunday, it was perhaps the most frustrating result yet.
Indeed, not only did Arsenal dominate proceedings on the day, the Gunners also thought they’d won the game late on only for VAR to intervene for Gabriel Martinelli’s offside.
Speaking on the Wrighty’s House Podcast, Ian Wright spoke about Martinelli’s offside, and he says that he was so angry with the winger’s run, claiming that you can’t afford to make those sorts of mistakes when the margins are so fine on the title race.
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Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on November 10, 2024 in London,...
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Ian Wright angry with Gabriel Martinelli
Wright spoke about Martinelli’s offside and how much it bothered him.
The pundit says he’s tried to not get annoyed about it, but he was so frustrated by the naivety on show here.
Wright called for Martinelli to step up this season, but, unfortunately, he’s not been able to do that.
“You kind of forget how close they are to it and how intense it really is. But my problem was obviously watching it was the goal what we scored with Martinelli and him getting offside like he did. But then when I think, when I thought about it, you know, afterwards, I thought, I don’t want to go, I’m not going for him because I do want players, especially in that situation, you can’t be offside,” Wright said.
“You know, we’re not talking about a first year pro. That’s the only thing that was really bothering me. And he’s quick enough, he could give himself a yard and still get there and cross that ball.
“So the margins, if we’re going by the margins, it’s kind of cost us for him not concentrating enough to stay onside. But when you look at the lack of chances that we’re making, that’s the reason I was so like angry with that because Fulham kind of like shut down the right side of us. I thought they’d done it very, very well.”
Gabriel Martinelli stats vs Fulham
Martinelli’s offside against Fulham was frustrating, but what was even more annoying was his all-round performance.
Indeed, Martinelli was utterly ineffective against Fulham on Sunday.
Despite playing the final half hour of the game, Martinelli really didn’t make anything happen at Craven Cottage.
Gabriel Martinelli stats vs Fulham
Successful dribbles 1
Shots 0
Key passes 0
Crosses 6
Accurate crosses 1
These are the sorts of attacking performances Arsenal need to stamp out if they’re going to win the Premier League.
Arsenal are interested in signing new players in that left wing position. Nico Williams has been linked to the Gunners, while Mikel Arteta is keen on Rafael Leao, so perhaps a change could soon be on the cards down that flank.
Martinelli has been off the pace for a little while now, and that may ultimately cost him his place in this Arsenal side in the long-term.
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