“He has been the danger man” - Gary Neville names Arsenal star who ‘stood up’ against Chelsea during 1-1 draw
Manchester United legend Gary Neville has hailed attacker Gabriel Martinelli's performance in Arsenal's 1-1 Premier League draw at Chelsea on Sunday (November 10).
Following a goalless first half, Mikel Arteta's visitors broke the deadlock through Martinelli in the 60th minute before Pedro Neto hauled the Blues back into the contest with a 70th-minute equaliser.
Martinelli, 23, now has three goals and as many assists in 17 games across competitions this season. All three strikes and two of the assists have come in 11 outings in the Premier League, where the Gunners are fourth in the standings, behind the third-placed Blues on goal difference.
Analysing the Brazilian's performance in the 1-1 stalemate, Neville said on Sky Sports (via Now Arsenal):
“He has been the danger man and the one Arsenal forward who has stood up today. Sanchez lets that shot in at the near post; it’s a big goal.”
The draw was the Gunners' fourth straight winless outing in the league - losing twice - as they find themselves nine points behind leaders Liverpool (28). Meanwhile, the Blues are riding a three-game unbeaten streak in three league gaames, drawing the last two.
"It's not good news" - Arsenal boss on Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice injuries
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has offered a bleak assessment on the injuries to Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice following the 1-1 Premier League stalemate at the weekend.
Rice, nursing a broken toe, came off in the 71st minute, while Saka followed suit 10 minutes later due to a leg injury. Admitting that things aren't looking promising about the two key players, Arteta said (as per the BBC):
"It doesn’t look good, because for two players of that importance to tell you they cannot continue in the game, it’s not good news. "I don’t know whether to expect them to be fit because if not they don’t come off," he said.
"What I'm praying for is that after the international break we have the team fully physically equipped, that they are available and that they are fit, because it's been a nightmare for eight weeks."
The Gunners - riding a five-game winless streak across competitions - return to action after the upcoming international break with a home game with Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on November 23. Meanwhile, Enzo Maresca's Chelsea travel to Leicester City in the league on the same day.