"You have to get the goal in the bag" - Ian Wright believes Mikel Arteta was frustrated with Arsenal star for moment in Spurs win
Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes Gunners manager Mikel Arteta was frustrated with attacker Gabriel Martinelli during their 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur. The Gunners left New White Hart Lane with all three points in the bag on September 15, but there was hardly any help from Martinelli.
The Brazilian attacker had a massive chance in the 28th minute to open the scoring and potentially aid the Gunners in securing the lead. He got past his man and drove into the area with the goalkeeper ahead of him.
He had an option to lay the ball on for Bukayo Saka, but Martinelli opted to goal himself. It did not lead to anything as Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario stopped the effort fairly easily.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright took notice of Martinelli's chance, as well as Mikel Arteta's reaction to it. Speaking to Premier League Productions, he said (via HITC):
"I think with the Martinelli one especially, (frustrating). The way it’s going, at the minute, I like the way Arsenal are playing. In games like this, especially with the Martinelli chance, you have to get the goal in the bag, then as the time goes, you might get your chance. It looks like Udogie gets back in time."
"If the ball comes across, then Saka would have made it in front of him. I think Martinelli, in that instant, should be looking to get the goal. I would like to have seen him pass. The manager (is frustrated) as well, by the looks of it," he added.
Arsenal eventually got their goal through centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes, who powered in a header from a corner routine with 64 minutes on the clock.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reveals enduring sleepless night after losing key players ahead of Tottenham clash
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is undoubtedly pleased that they managed to get the job done after a hard-fought 90 minutes at the New White Hart Lane. However, they had to do so without players such as Declan Rice, who was suspended, and Martin Odegaard who was injured on international duty.
Speaking about snatching up all three points afterwards, Arteta said to the press (via BBC):
"We had to adapt a little bit because of some of the players we lost. I prepared for Tottenham for five days, then in one moment I lost one player and in another I lost another. I didn't sleep much!"
"There were no excuses, no crying. The players have thick skin. They love the game. Sometimes to win you have to do the ugly things and they love to do that. I loved it, because day after day the players are hungrier and hungrier," he added.
Arsenal now have to take on table-toppers Manchester City in their next Premier League matchday on September 22. Before that, though, they have to face Atalanta away from home in the UEFA Champions League on September 19.