Gabriel Martinelli believes Arsenal have proven a point despite another trophyless season

Gidibam Web1 week ago

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Image credit: Getty Images

Gabriel Martinelli believes Arsenal’s spirited second-half comeback against Liverpool at Anfield should serve as a source of confidence and inspiration as the club looks to end its long-standing trophy drought next season.

The Gunners were 2-0 down by halftime in Sunday’s clash with Premier League champions Liverpool, following goals from Cody Gakpo and Luis Díaz. A furious Mikel Arteta branded his side’s first-half display “unacceptable,” but the team responded in emphatic fashion after the break.

Martinelli sparked the fightback with a well-taken header early in the second half before Mikel Merino netted the equaliser. The Spaniard was later sent off, but Arsenal held on for a valuable point.

Reflecting on the result, Martinelli praised the team’s character and said the performance reinforced their belief heading into next season.

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“We saw what we can do [in the second half at Liverpool],” said Martinelli. “What we did against them in the second half was amazing. The effort and everything we did was great. We wanted to win the game, but in the end, it was not that bad. We just take the positive things and go into next season to try to improve and win trophies.”

***Gabriel Martinelli has scored six goals against Liverpool since joining Arsenal (Image credit: Getty Images)***

Arsenal’s last major honour remains the FA Cup triumph under Arteta in 2020. After another trophyless campaign, the pressure is on to deliver silverware, and Martinelli’s words suggest the squad is determined to rise to the challenge.

The Brazilian forward was instrumental in the draw, excelling after being moved into a central attacking role. His goal at Anfield maintained a remarkable statistic—Arsenal have never lost a match in which Martinelli has scored. That streak now stands at 45 games.

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“I’ll try to score every single game from now on!” Martinelli joked. “It’s really good to have these stats. I just try to do my best for the team. It’s a game I like to play—going in behind and threatening their last line. We could have done better in the first half, but the boys showed great effort. We came here with the mentality to win. At half-time, we knew we could do better—and that’s what we did.”

Arsenal remain in a strong position to secure Champions League football for next season. Sitting second in the Premier League, five points clear of sixth-placed Aston Villa with a far superior goal difference, the Gunners need just a draw against Newcastle or already-relegated Southampton to seal qualification.

However, manager Mikel Arteta is aiming higher and wants his team to secure the runner-up spot.

“We cannot be the best, so we have to make sure we are the best of the rest,” Arteta said. “And against Newcastle, we have the opportunity to wrap that up.”