Arteta Lauds Martinelli Attitude After Bradley Controversy
Mikel Arteta commended Gabriel Martinelli for letting his actions on the field do the talking, as the Brazilian achieved his first hat-trick for Arsenal in a 4-1 FA Cup triumph against Portsmouth.
Martinelli faced intense backlash for attempting to shove Liverpool defender Conor Bradley off the field in the final moments of Thursdays goalless Premier League stalemate, after the Northern Irish player collapsed with a severe knee problem.
Liverpool announced on Sunday that the right-back requires an operation and will sit out the remainder of the campaign.
Martinelli issued an apology to Bradley post-match, and Arteta praised his resilience in responding constructively.
"That shows character, step up and express it on the field," Arteta stated.
"Playing for a top team demands strong character, it might involve being in the spotlight of a contentious moment, or missing a key chance, or an error that loses a match, yet just three days on there is another fixture, so you must rally and ensure it matters.
"He bagged three goals today, and come tomorrow he will train with full intensity, no doubt. He stays true to himself, that is Gabi."
Arteta rotated the squad with ten alterations for the encounter at Fratton Park, and might have worried about a third round knockout for the third year running when the Championship outfit went ahead via Colby Bishop after only three minutes.
Yet that advantage endured for merely five minutes, as the Gunners hit back with one of their trio of goals from set-pieces.
Andre Dozzell deflected into his own goal while pressured by Christian Norgaard.
Martinelli dominated thereafter, bookending a penalty miss by Noni Madueke.
"With so many switches in the lineup, team unity wont be quite as seamless as ideal," Arteta continued.
"We kicked off precisely as we hoped to avoid, handing them drive, an quick opener, and optimism.
"As we focused on executing the basics well and asserting control, our skill shone through and the gap widened."