Saved by Martinelli: Arteta must drop Arsenal star who lost 100% of duels

[ad_1] Arsenal secured an exceptional last-gasp level in opposition to Manchester Metropolis on the Emirates this afternoon, highlighting the title credentials the Gunners possess.

Mikel Arteta’s aspect appeared set to fall to defeat in opposition to Pep Guardiola’s aspect, however the 93rd-minute strike from Gabriel Martinelli secured a significant level of their hunt for Premier League title glory.

Such a outcome maintained the membership’s unbeaten document within the 2025/26 marketing campaign, however has seen them fall a few factors behind Liverpool on the prime of the desk.

<img width="1650" height="826" loading="lazy" decoding="async" fetchpriority="low" alt="Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after the match" data-img-url="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/arsenal-manager-mikel-arteta-celebrates-after-the-match.JPG?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" src="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/arsenal-manager-mikel-arteta-celebrates-after-the-match.JPG?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2"/> Nonetheless, given the circumstances across the late equaliser, the outcome will definitely really feel prefer it’s a degree gained reasonably than two dropped - particularly after it stored their unbeaten begin intact.

Such a outcome will undoubtedly spotlight to Arteta the modifications he must make going ahead, with one participant deserving of a recall to the beginning eleven within the close to future.

Gabriel Martinelli’s heroics in opposition to Manchester Metropolis Over the past couple of months, Martinelli has come into big query for his lack of affect at Arsenal - subsequently resulting in the large funding over the summer time.

Nonetheless, the Brazilian has proved a few of his doubters mistaken over latest days, producing some spectacular shows even earlier than his cameo in opposition to Guardiola’s aspect.

He scored off the bench in opposition to Atlético Bilbao on Tuesday night time, earlier than doing the identical once more this afternoon - staking his declare for a daily first-team beginning function once more.

The 24-year-old solely managed 5 touches of the ball after being introduced on for the remaining 10 minutes, but it surely was his first time end which was the decisive one.

Martinelli subsequently accomplished 100% of the passes he tried and positioned 100% of his pictures heading in the right direction, additional highlighting the spectacular cameo he produced off the bench.

Regardless of the exhibiting of the Brazilian, one different participant didn't ship on the Emirates, with Arteta needing to take motion and drop him from the aspect of their subsequent outing.

The Arsenal participant who must be dropped after Metropolis The draw might give causes to be optimistic for the weeks forward, however it will possibly’t gloss over the problems that arose within the early phases - most notably within the first half of the competition.

<img width="1650" height="826" loading="lazy" decoding="async" fetchpriority="low" alt="mikel-arteta-arsenal-premier-league" data-img-url="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/mikel-arteta-arsenal-premier-league-39.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" src="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/mikel-arteta-arsenal-premier-league-39.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2"/> Arsenal had been on the again foot, subsequently going a objective down after Erling Haaland’s strike, however had been unable to interrupt down the Residents, given their low line of defense.

Arteta made a mistake in not beginning an attacking midfielder, leaving Eberechi Eze on the substitutes bench and deciding to function with Mikel Merino alongside Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice.

He additionally began with Noni Madueke off the right-hand aspect as soon as once more, but it surely was a day to overlook for the Englishman, as he didn't have the specified affect.

The 23-year-old has been filling the void after Bukayo Saka’s damage, however he was changed by the aforementioned star on the break upon his return to first-team motion.

<img width="1650" height="826" loading="lazy" decoding="async" fetchpriority="low" alt="Noni Madueke for Arsenal" data-img-url="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/noni-madueke-for-arsenal.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" src="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/noni-madueke-for-arsenal.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2"/> Nonetheless, his withdrawal from the competition was definitely warranted, along with his underlying figures highlighting how dismal his exhibiting was in North London at the moment.

Madueke solely managed 32 touches of the ball, lacking a giant likelihood within the course of, and sometimes being wasteful with the possibilities that had been introduced his manner within the closing third.

Noni Madueke - stats in opposition to Man Metropolis

Statistics

Tally

Minutes performed

45

Touches

32

Dribbles accomplished

0/2

Duels misplaced

100%

Crosses accomplished

0/5

Go accuracy

62%

Large probabilities missed

1

Dribbled previous

2

Stats by way of FotMob

He additionally failed to finish any of the dribbles he tried, while additionally shedding 100% of the duels he entered - typically being dominated by younger full-back Nico O’Reilly.

The winger additionally registered 5 crosses, however not considered one of them discovered a participant in pink, subsequently reaching a 0% success price - additional showcasing his lack of optimistic affect.

<img width="1650" height="826" loading="lazy" decoding="async" fetchpriority="low" alt="Madueke-Martinelli-Arsenal" data-img-url="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/madueke-martinelli-arsenal.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" src="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/madueke-martinelli-arsenal.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2"/> Because of his exhibiting, Madueke was handed a measly 6/10 match score by GOAL’s Sean Walsh - topping off what was a dismal afternoon for the £50m addition.

After such a exhibiting, Arteta must drop the attacker from his beginning eleven, with Saka needing to return again into the fold after his return from damage.

Nonetheless, the most important speaking level can be Martinelli after his late objective, with the Brazilian undoubtedly saving the day in what was a fairly lacklustre exhibiting on the Emirates.