Arsenal star makes shocking admission after painful Manchester City defeat

Gabriel Martinelli admits to making’mistakes’ in recent games since Manchester City surpassed Arsenal in the title race.

The Citizens defeated the Gunners 3-1 at the Emirates on Wednesday night, with goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, and Erling Haaland. This was the Citizens’ first Premier League meeting of the season.

It means that City have jumped ahead of their opponents on goal difference, despite the fact that Arsenal have a game in hand.

Arsenal has now lost three of their last four games, and while several players have struggled with form, Martinelli’s is particularly concerning.

The forward has yet to score in 2023, with his only goal contribution coming in the FA Cup victory over League 1 side Oxford United.

This will be especially disappointing for Mikel Arteta, who had seven goals and two assists prior to the turn of the year, establishing himself as a key member of the club’s forward line.

‘I believe I can improve. ‘I believe everyone in the team can improve,’ Martinelli told the Evening Standard following the City defeat.

‘I always try to rewatch the game to see where my mistakes were and how I could improve. It won’t be any different with this game.

‘I’m going to rewatch the game to see where I went wrong and try to improve for the next game.’

However, given his lack of form, the Brazil international could be benched in favour of January signing Leandro Trossard for Arsenal’s next game against Aston Villa on Saturday.

‘There is no doubt that the games [at Villa and Leicester] will be difficult. But we are prepared. ‘We know our team, and we’re going for it,’ he said.

‘There are still many games to be played. We know our strengths and will recover. We are a family, and we will fight until the bitter end.

‘We lost the game [against City], but we’re Arsenal,’ he said. We are aware of our size and abilities. We go into the next game determined to win and defeat Villa.’