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‘This is unacceptable’ – Arsenal fans single out one player after pre-season defeat
Arsenal fans were not impressed with Gabriel Martinelli’s performance in their pre-season defeat to Villarreal. The Gunners were beaten on their return to the Emirates on Wednesday, losing 3-2 to their LaLiga opposition. Martinelli has been criticised for his performance against VillarrealGetty Arteta will be disappointed by his side’s losing return to the EmiratesGetty It was a concerning result for Mikel Arteta and his squad with the new Premier League season just over a week away. There was excitement when the team was announced, with big-money signing Viktor Gyokeres leading the line. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli flanked Gyokeres in what looked on paper to be a dangerous front three. However, Martinelli’s performance caught the eye of Arsenal fans for all the wrong reasons. The Brazilian picked up an assist for Christian Norgaard’s goal, which brought the Gunners back into the game after going 2-0 down. But that wasn’t enough of an impact to make up for an otherwise poor showing in front of the home support. Martinelli lost possession 19 times during his 77 minutes on the pitch, which was the most of any Arsenal player. On top of that, he only completed three of seven attempted dribbles and successfully completed a cross on one out of seven tries. The 24-year-old also lost many battles throughout the pre-season clash, losing eight of 12 ground duels he was involved in. And he has come under fire for his disappointing showing, with his position now potentially under threat by Noni Madueke. Martinelli’s stats against Villarreal don’t make for good reading Arsenal fans fuming Martinelli’s performance led to Arsenal fans singling him out when reacting to their team’s defeat. One supporter wrote: “It’s 15 minutes. Martinelli already lost balls 4 times while in attack. How much do we need to pay him if we just terminate his contract? This is unacceptable.” Another said: “I cannot do Martinelli for another season, I physically cannot.” “We’re not going to be a serious football club starting Gabriel Martinelli every week,” a third Gunners fan posted. A fourth wrote: “I don’t want to see Gabriel Martinelli playing for Arsenal anymore. That was my main takeaway.” “Swap Martinelli with Eze,” another suggested, amid Arsenal’s links to Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze. Gunners fans were not happy with Martinelli’s showing on WednesdayAFP Familiar face Arsenal fans’ evening on Wednesday was made worse by the fact that a familiar face scored against them. Nicolas Pepe, who signed for the Gunners in 2019 for a then-club-record £72million, netted the opener for Villarreal. Pepe is considered a major flop when looking at his price tag and subsequent performances whilst at the Emirates. He scored 16 Premier League goals in 80 top-flight appearances over three seasons, providing nine assists too. The Ivorian winger went on to leave Arsenal for free in 2023, with his contract being terminated with immediate effect. But he came back to show the Gunners that he still has some talent a couple of years later, with his goal leading Villarreal to a 3-2 win.
Arsenal fans were not impressed with Gabriel Martinelli’s performance in their pre-season defeat to Villarreal.
The Gunners were beaten on their return to the Emirates on Wednesday, losing 3-2 to their LaLiga opposition.
It was a concerning result for Mikel Arteta and his squad with the new Premier League season just over a week away.
There was excitement when the team was announced, with big-money signing Viktor Gyokeres leading the line.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli flanked Gyokeres in what looked on paper to be a dangerous front three.
However, Martinelli’s performance caught the eye of Arsenal fans for all the wrong reasons.
The Brazilian picked up an assist for Christian Norgaard’s goal, which brought the Gunners back into the game after going 2-0 down.
But that wasn’t enough of an impact to make up for an otherwise poor showing in front of the home support.
Martinelli lost possession 19 times during his 77 minutes on the pitch, which was the most of any Arsenal player.
On top of that, he only completed three of seven attempted dribbles and successfully completed a cross on one out of seven tries.
The 24-year-old also lost many battles throughout the pre-season clash, losing eight of 12 ground duels he was involved in.
And he has come under fire for his disappointing showing, with his position now potentially under threat by Noni Madueke.
Arsenal fans fuming
Martinelli’s performance led to Arsenal fans singling him out when reacting to their team’s defeat.
One supporter wrote: “It’s 15 minutes. Martinelli already lost balls 4 times while in attack. How much do we need to pay him if we just terminate his contract? This is unacceptable.”
Another said: “I cannot do Martinelli for another season, I physically cannot.”
“We’re not going to be a serious football club starting Gabriel Martinelli every week,” a third Gunners fan posted.
A fourth wrote: “I don’t want to see Gabriel Martinelli playing for Arsenal anymore. That was my main takeaway.”
“Swap Martinelli with Eze,” another suggested, amid Arsenal’s links to Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.
Familiar face
Arsenal fans’ evening on Wednesday was made worse by the fact that a familiar face scored against them.
Nicolas Pepe, who signed for the Gunners in 2019 for a then-club-record £72million, netted the opener for Villarreal.
Pepe is considered a major flop when looking at his price tag and subsequent performances whilst at the Emirates.
He scored 16 Premier League goals in 80 top-flight appearances over three seasons, providing nine assists too.
The Ivorian winger went on to leave Arsenal for free in 2023, with his contract being terminated with immediate effect.
But he came back to show the Gunners that he still has some talent a couple of years later, with his goal leading Villarreal to a 3-2 win.
