Gabriel Martinelli made an instant impact on his return from injury, as he came off the bench to score the only goal as Arsenal beat Manchester City 1-0 to climb above Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions in the Premier League standings.
Having waited eight years to beat the Blues in the league, the result marks a hugely satisfying way to close out a hectic three-week block of matches ahead of another Interlull.
After the game, matchwinner Martinelli and compatriot Gabriel Jesus faced questions from Sky Sports. Here’s what they had to say…
On being the main man…
Martinelli: I’m not the man, I think everyone has played a part in this victory. I scored the goal but it was the whole team, the staff, the fans as well, it was everyone. I’m happy and the team is happy too.
On it being more than three points…
Jesus: For sure, everyone knows how hard it is to play against them, even when they play away. As I said before, it’s not impossible to beat them. We have to congratulate them, how they work, how they play but it’s our home, we had to try everything, right, fight, with the ball be efficient to score goals. I’m very happy for Gabi, he came on and helped us, that showed how strong our team is, so congrats for everyone.
On basically staggering back to the dressing room he was so tired…
Jesus: It’s not easy playing three games in one week, each 90 minutes but I did it, I think I’m back with my fitness like I’ve always been, fighting, running everywhere, helping the team without the ball. Today I could run and help them but the whole team played amazing and we won the game that way.
On getting injured at Everton and working his way back…
Martinelli: After that moment, I just tried to give my best in my recovery and try to be ready for the next game. Luckily, it was for this game and I helped the team. I’m so happy with the victory and my fitness as well.
On what the win does for the dressing room…
Martinelli: It gives more confidence, we know our potential and how tough it is to play against them. Today, we beat them and it gives us more confidence.
Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus react after Arsenal's late win against Man City 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/ozLblijYEg
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 8, 2023
If wehad won the equivalent fixture last season and all the other results had been the same we would have won the PL. We are stronger this season so let’s hope we can keep it going! Great result!!!
And without Saka too!!!! And Partey for only part of the match. Let’s hope we can keep injuries low, especially Saliba, Gabriel, Bukayo etc etc.
We got the Champions League this year which will complicate things. Had Arteta rested Saka against Lens he would have probably played today and I am sure we will have a few more injuries as the season goes on. The key is for other players who come in to step up for the Injured players and Martinelli did that today. He gave us that extra spark on the left. Also depends what we do in January. If we can add/upgrade to couple of more quality players then we will definitely have a chance. Still 30 games to go, and consistenty… Read more »
This Saka injury, hoping it will be a short one, might be a blessing in disguise. It feels like he was burning out, either physically or mentally (yes despite averaging a goal contribution a game) he didn’t seem like quite the same deadly buzzsaw of a player he was last season. Hopefully he’ll be rested for the interlull and come back with a renewed hop in his step, blazing like a comet and scoring hat tricks left and right
Super result, super players and super happy manager but am I the only one who is wondering about these 3 games they play in a week. If you play on Saturday then Wednesday and Saturday again doesn’t one of them count as a different week. Isn’t that how weeks work?
It was a Saturday then Tuesday then Sunday, so definitely not three in a week.
Saturday — Saturday is a 7 day span and basically a week.
It’s 8 days. Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
It’s Saturday – Sunday as a day… that’s how you start counting.
I don’t know if you guys are being serious or just referencing this masterpiece
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.knowyourmeme.com/memes/body-building-forum-days-in-a-week-dispute
From Sept. 17 to this day,- we played 7 games in 22 days.
So I think he was quite precise.
Thanks maths not my strong point, I’ve been meaning to lessen my workload so going down to a 3 day week I’m only going to work Saturday and Wednesday and train and upskill other days. Should be comfortable with 3 days income but 2 would cutting it tight.
Jesus was immense today. Fought for absolutely everything and really set the tone. He looks like he’s getting his groove back.
Fantastic result today. Very proud of how we played. I still feel we were not at our best which tells you how good this team is. I feel like there are many areas we can improve, specially with the quality of the pass once we beat the press. I feel like Trossard should play more of a central attacking role, and Odegard and Nketia should hold the ball a bit better to give time to the other players to join the attack. Let’s build on this win and smash Chelsea next.
Do you write these up for people who don’t have Sky- or what?
Would rather read Blogs than listen to Sky twats.
Also, if you’re in another part of the world, you don’t get all of these interviews as they’re generally Sky UK exclusive
“I’m not the man” what a humble kid, and that’s exactly why I think he’s destined to be an Arsenal great if he stays long enough. So young and talented and already a fixture in our team for 2 years now, scoring in the biggest games, but he never seems to let it get to his head and just keeps his head down and keeps working hard and thinking team first. And Jesus… not just 90mins three times in a week, the effort he gives in 90 is what most players would give in double as much. Give that man… Read more »
Every era, we have had great right footed left wingers.
Limpar, Merson, overmars, pires etc and now Nelli
Perry Groves
Three points against City = Three points against Luton.
Our players neeed to know.
Three points against City is a six-pointer. Us up 3, them down 3. As above, If we had won the equivalent fixture last season and all the other results had been the same we would have won the PL, making up the 5 point deficit we had on them at the end of the season.
If you doubt it work out the points in the PL if City had won. They would have been 4 points ahead rather than 2 points behind and vice versa for us. It’s a six pointer.
Gabi, Gabi, Gabi
Oi,oi,oi
Our defence especially in 2nd half made sure we didn’t lose, miki got subs right, we kept going and did a job on them, a tough game but we found another way.
The only thing that could have made that goal sweeter was if it went in off of John Terry’s face.
Or Samir Nasri if it has to be someone with a City connection.
Martinelli goal was awesome.