09 November 2023 , 14:13
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Gabriel Martinelli has told Arsenal team-mate Bukayo Saka he needs to buy him dinner after his brilliant assist on Wednesday.
Martinelli produced a superb display in Arsenal's 2-0 victory against Sevilla in the Champions League. Leandro Trossard opened the scoring, with Saka providing the assist, before Martinelli sent Saka through on goal with a lovely ball down the middle.
The victory leaves Arsenal on the brink of qualifying for the last 16 of the tournament. The Gunners will reach the knockout stages if they pick up a point in either of their last two group games against Lens at the Emirates and PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands.
Martinelli was asked about his performance after Wednesday's game. "I think we did well today, and we deserved the win," said the Brazilian. "Every game I want the ball as quickly as possible to have the advantage to go and take the full-back on one-on-one.
"This is what I like to do, and I think the team knows that. Me and B are good at that, and today it’s what you want. If you go one, two or three times and you beat your opponent, you get more confidence and that’s what happened today."
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Martinelli, speaking to Arsenal's website, was then asked about his assist. "I told him (Saka) that he’s going to have to pay me for dinner! I’m so happy with the win and for his goal as well. It’s so good to play here at home with our supporters, and we just try to do our best on the pitch to show them our qualities and win for them."
Martinelli assists Bukayo Saka's goal (Getty Images)What did you make of Gabriel Martinelli's performance against Sevilla? Let us know in the comments below!
Like many of Arsenal's players, Martinelli is playing in the Champions League for the first time this season. The 22-year-old winger has played a key role in Arsenal revival under Mikel Arteta was singled out for praise by Matthew Upson after Wednesday's game.
"I just like it when you can see he is really energised for the game," former Gunners defender Upson told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily Podcast. "There’s no fancy thrills, he’s not over-elaborate but he just knows he’s got pace.
"He likes to stop defenders in their tracks, he slows them down and then he just goes quickly. He knocks it with his right foot onto his left and goes around the outside. He must have gone round the outside of defenders into double figures in this game.
"As a right-back, when you are getting done that many times, you are really struggling. He was just too hot to handle (against Sevilla)."