Arteta Applauds Gabriel Martinelli and Emphasizes the Crucial Role of ‘Finishers’
The Arsenal manager shared his fondness for Gabriel Martinelli after the attacker scored just 36 seconds after coming off the bench, paving the way for a victory in their Champions League opener against their opponents. Arteta also commended the team spirit within the team, noting that it “pains him” when he has to omit a squad member, and shared that he prefers to use the term “game closers” rather than “bench players”—a terminology inspired by the sport of rugby.
Quickfire Contribution
The match was still goalless when the young attacker was brought on, but the manager noted that he detected in the player’s eyes that he was prepared. With his first touch, Martinelli sprinted away and got past the keeper to open the scoring in the 72nd minute. Subsequently, he delivered the assist for Leandro Trossard, who confirmed the result in the closing moments.
“He merited that moment. I love Martinelli: his mindset, his commitment, his optimism, his team-first mentality,” Arteta said.
Team Togetherness
Arteta stressed the significance of togetherness, especially following the players rushed to celebrate Martinelli after his goal. Arteta mentioned the camaraderie as “real” and stated that it brings him joy to work with such a focused team.
“That’s the spirit,” Arteta commented. “That is the reason I really enjoy each day working with them.”
Impact Substitutes’ Importance
The manager went on to say that leaving players out is a challenging elements of his position. He admitted that every choice disappoints members of the squad, but emphasized that his decisions are focused on improving the probability of winning.
Inquired about the phrase “finishers,” he confirmed that he borrowed it from the sport, noting:
“It resonates with me since I’m not fond of different labels. With football developing, finishers are increasingly more important. The effectiveness of their contributions will shape the quality of our season.”
Arteta wrapped up by stressing that every player in the group is valuable, and that substitutes can often be more impactful than those who start.
