Arsenal star 'will be at the end of one of Mikel Arteta' after 'criminal' move
Paul Merson harshly criticized Gabriel Martinelli after Arsenal's draw against Fulham.
The former Gunners midfielder did not hold back with his analysis of the Brazilian as the Gunners dropped further points in the title race with a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage.
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Martinelli thought he had set up a late winner for Bukayo Saka only to be denied by the VAR.
Instead, the substitute was offside at the start of the play, causing the goal to be disallowed.
Merson called the mistake “criminal” during his analysis of the disallowed goal on Sky Sports.
The Arsenal expert and legend exclaimed: “In football terms, what Martinelli has done is criminal.
“I can't express enough how, in football terms, you just can't do that. You can't be offside, you're looking down the line.
“You've got pace, he's electric, so he's not someone who tries to gain a yard and play right on the edge. He can give someone a yard or two.
“Honestly, I'd be surprised if he wasn't at the end of one in the locker room when the coach arrives.
“He even knows it, you could see it in his face afterwards, he knew you can’t do that.
“I saw (Matheus) Nunes do that yesterday with Manchester City and Kevin De Bruyne went crazy.
“You can't be offside when you look along the line. The only thing when you look along that line is not to be offside, it's as simple as that.”
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Martinelli had been a substitute in the second half, replacing Leandro Trossard from the bench in the 60th minute.
His cameo was his 13th league appearance of the season, and the 23-year-old has scored three goals and added two assists this season.
Arsenal trailed at half-time when Fulham striker Raul Jimenez expertly fired the ball past David Raya in the 11th minute.
However, the North Londoners hit back as William Saliba hit home when he capitalized on a Kai Havertz tackle following a corner from the left.
The point reduces the gap with the leaders Liverpool to six points, but the Reds have played a game less as Storm Darragh postponed their Merseyside derby against Everton, scheduled for Saturday lunchtime.
