Mikel Arteta praises Gabriel Martinelli's impressive performance in Arsenal's victory against Man City

Mikel Arteta praised Gabriel Martinelli's impact on Arsenal's 1-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday. The Brazilian, who had been sidelined with a hamstring injury, came off the bench and scored the only goal of the match.

During the first half, Leandro Trossard also struggled with fitness issues. It became clear at halftime that he couldn't continue, prompting Arteta to turn to Martinelli.

Arteta shared the sequence of events in the dressing room with Sky Sports, saying, "The physios didn't think he was ready, but [Martinelli] said, 'I am ready to go.' Leo got injured and when I looked at him, he was already prepared."

The manager praised Martinelli's bravery, describing him as a fearless player. Arteta drew a similar comparison to goalkeeper David Raya, who had some nervous moments while passing out from the back under City's high press.

Martinelli, however, downplayed his individual contribution, highlighting the team's collective effort. He said, "I am not the man. I think everyone played a part in this victory. I scored the goal, but it was the entire team, staff, and everyone. I am happy, and the team is too."

After recovering from his injury, Martinelli focused on giving his best for the team. He expressed his satisfaction with his goal and overall fitness, adding that the win against City would boost their confidence for future matches.

Arteta expressed his pride in the entire team, describing it as the right moment with the right players. He acknowledged the team's resilience and highlighted the importance of a strong performance and the support of the crowd.

The Arsenal manager also emphasized the challenges posed by City and praised his team's courage in dealing with those difficulties. He acknowledged that it's not easy to break free from City's pressing and emphasized the need for well-timed movements and moments.

Overall, Arteta considered the victory a significant accomplishment against a tough opponent, expressing his satisfaction with the team's performance and mentality.