Gabriel Martinelli’s 81st-minute winner in Arsenal’s 2-1 pre-season friendly win over Manchester United was part of a “very different approach” from the Brazil attacker, manager Mikel Arteta has said.
Martinelli cut inside the penalty area and slotted in to complete an impressively long passage of clever passing from the Gunners, who replied through Gabriel Jesus after Rasmus Hojlund’s 11th-minute opener for United.
“That’s the mentality of the team and individuals – one training session and he comes in and plays at that level,” Arteta said of the 23-year-old.
“That means that he’s not coming here to get prepared; he’s come prepared to show where he is. That’s a very different approach and I loved it.”
💬 “I think it was a really competitive match, really good opposition for us, and I’m very happy that we managed to win the game.”
The boss was pleased with the way we played in today’s 2-1 victory over Manchester United 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 28, 2024
Man United vs Arsenal a ‘good test’
“It was a really good test for us,” reflected Arteta. “Playing in a different stadium, different pitch conditions, four metres narrower and five metres shorter against a top opponent and we’re 1-0 down.
“To play in this kind of context is really, really good for us to see the level and the capacity we have to adapt and win in any context, so I’m really pleased.”
Jesus slotted in from close range in the 26th minute for an equaliser which United felt was offside.
🥁 Introducing your POTM for tonight’s win against Manchester United…
A brilliant display from our matchwinner ❤️ pic.twitter.com/IitJoPPvgl
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 28, 2024
While Martinelli’s previous goal came on March 3, his international team-mate had not found the net since January 30.
Gabriel Jesus: Goal shows ‘spark’
Arteta said the striker looks “really good” and “really sharp”. “He’s changed a lot of things over the summer and he’s come back in top condition again,” he added.
“When you have that baseline, other things can be built but without that foundation we don’t have a player and he needs to be in that condition to get the best out of him.
💬 “I was focused to come back well and have a good pre-season. Now I’m in different shape and can play football again.”
Jesus on his growing confidence and the benefits of a full pre-season👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 28, 2024
“He’s realised that and I’m really happy with what he’s shown. You can see by the way he looks, the way he’s moving and you can see in his eyes that there’s a spark there.”
Arsenal face Liverpool in Philadelphia on August 1 (12.30am) before returning to England for home friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen on August 7 (6pm) and Lyon four days later (2pm).