Arteta Praises Gabriel Martinelli and Emphasizes the Crucial Role of ‘Finishers’
Arteta shared his fondness for Gabriel Martinelli after the player found the back of the net just 36 seconds after being introduced, securing a win in their Champions League opener against the Spanish side. The head coach also commended the collective mentality within the group, mentioning that it “pains him” when he has to bench someone, and revealed that he prefers to use the term “game closers” rather than “bench players”—a concept inspired by rugby.
Instant Impact
The encounter was without a score when the young attacker was substituted in, but the manager mentioned that he could see in the player’s eyes that he was ready. Right after entering, the winger sprinted away and got past the goalkeeper to open the scoring in the second half. He then, Martinelli delivered the assist for another substitute, who secured the result in the final stages.
“He fully deserved it. I have huge admiration for him: his attitude, his dedication, his positivity, his team-first mentality,” stated the manager.
Collective Spirit
The Arsenal coach emphasized the value of unity, particularly following the players rushed to celebrate Martinelli following the strike. He reflected the camaraderie as “real” and added that it makes him proud to be around such a dedicated squad.
“That’s what it’s all about,” he expressed. “That’s why I truly love every single day working with them.”
Game-Changers’ Contribution
The manager went on to say that making selection decisions is among the most difficult parts of his position. He acknowledged that every lineup decision frustrates some players, but insisted that his choices are guided by increasing the likelihood of winning.
Questioned about the phrase “finishers,” he admitted that he adopted it from rugby, stating:
“I love it because I don’t like other words. As the game evolves, these players are going to be crucial. The quality of their contributions will shape the success of our campaign.”
Arteta finished by stressing that all individuals in the squad is valuable, and that those who come off the bench can often be even more decisive than the initial lineup.
