Arsenal: Why Martinelli didn't start against Crystal Palace?

The Brazilian star came off the bench to score a brace in the stoppage time.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has explained his decision to start Gabriel Martinelli on the bench in his side’s 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace.

The striker, who had struggled to find the back of the net in the six games leading up to the encounter, was left out of the starting XI due to a training injury.

Arteta, aiming to inject new energy into the team after three consecutive defeats, opted to start Leandro Trossard on the flanks instead. Trossard‘s contribution was pivotal, securing the points with a well-timed goal just before the hour mark. Martinelli eventually entered the game with 20 minutes remaining, seizing the opportunity to make a significant impact.

The 22-year-old netted two identical goals in injury time, marking a successful return to form.

Reflecting on Martinelli’s brilliant cameo, Arteta said after the game: “Sometimes when you are in that period, and he had a little issue in the last few days in training so he wasn’t fully, fully fit, that changes momentum.

“It changes perception, it re-energises you. It’s everything. We don’t have a 30, 40 goals on someone, we have to share them and that’s a good quality in the team.”