Mikel Arteta Salutes Gabriel Martinell’s Character In Derby Draw

Mikel Arteta applauded Gabriel Martinelli’s bravery in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Chelsea last night.

“To play in this stadium the way he has done with 10 men and against Azpilicueta, who in my opinion is one of the best defenders in the league, and he was going against him every single time, you need courage to do that,” Arteta said.

“Then his energy. I wanted to take him off a few times because he looked knackered, he was cramping and next minute he’s sprinting 60 yards again.

“Not just him. I think Laca [Alexandre Lacazette] is playing at a really good level, even though he’s not scoring, and Nico [Nicolas Pepe] as well, and everybody that’s coming in. They are fighting really hard in training to try to convince us to play more.

“When they question some things I tell them [to] speak on the pitch and this is to speak on the pitch.”

Other than the 18-year-old, Granit Xhaka caught the spectators’ eyes with a near-perfect display at centre-half. Arteta was asked about how the Swiss has turned his fortunes and is was one of the standout performers of the night.

“I tried to convince him that this was the right place for him to stay, that I wanted to give him the opportunity to try to enjoy playing football again and everything I ask him to do, every training session he is willing to do it,” the Gunners boss said.

“Today I knew, the moment I put him there, I didn’t know how good he was going to do but he was going to put everything out there, and he was great.”