‘He’s been rubbish’ – Arsenal star slated for his ‘lack of respect’ during win at Aston Villa
FORMER Aston Villa captain Gabby Agbonlahor has ripped into “rubbish” Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli for his “disrespectful” antics.
The Gunners are two points clear at the top of the Premier League after claiming a 4-2 win at Villa Park on Saturday.
Brazilian winger Martinelli started that game on the bench for Arsenal – the first time he’s not started in the top-flight this term.
But he came on to score the clinching goal deep in additional time and even started celebrating before he had actually put the ball into the empty net.
Martinelli, 21, has played a key role for Mikel Arteta’s side but his performances have dipped in recent weeks.
And that has led to January transfer signing Leandro Trossard replacing him in the starting XI.
Now the star will be hoping his strike at Villa, which came on the counter-attack with opposition goalkeeper Emi Martinez caught up-field after going up for a corner, will earn him his spot back.
However, Martinelli has found himself on the receiving end of some brutal words from Agbonlahor.
He told talkSPORT: “I thought Arsenal were impressive second half.
“They didn’t turn up first half but second half, they were relentless. Saka, getting at players. Xhaka, Odegaard was finding space and Arsenal thoroughly deserved the win.
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“But there was part of the game I didn’t like. I didn’t like Martinelli for me, running through, empty net and he’s celebrating before he puts the ball in the back of the net.
“He’s been rubbish for a month and he’s scoring a tap-in and celebrating before he’s even scored. [It’s a] lack of respect for your team-mates. I didn’t like it.”
Boss Arteta said after the game: “It wasn’t dropping him [Martinelli] – he’s played every single minute.
“We have three 21-year-olds leading the frontline – that’s unheard of.
“Leo’s [Trossard] been doing really well and we needed impact. I was really worried about the last 20 or 25 minutes in this game because of everything we put in on Wednesday. We needed energy and I think [Martinelli provided] it.”