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Football London
Football London
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Gabriel Martinelli takes first step towards completing Arsenal mission after goal vs Leicester

There were a number of standout performers for Arsenal in their 4-2 win over Leicester City on Saturday afternoon with summer signing Gabriel Jesus, in particular, being showered with praise.

That is little surprise given the Brazilian had a hand in all four goals, officially opening his account for the club with a brace as well as claiming two assists in the second half, on what turned out to be a remarkable competitive home debut for the £45million arrival from Manchester City.

In addition, Granit Xhaka's performance didn't go unnoticed as he scored his first goal of the season and also chipped in with the assist for Gabriel Jesus' first goal of the afternoon, whilst Arsenal legend Ian Wright took to social media and singled out another new addition in Oleksandr Zinchenko for praise.

READ MORE: What Ramsdale did after Saliba's own goal as Arteta lays down Arsenal challenge for Xhaka

However, there should be a special mention for Gabriel Martinelli. After netting what turned out to be the clincher with a brilliant effort from range he has now scored in successive games at the start of the new Premier League campaign. In fact, it's three in a row when taking the final game of last season against Everton into consideration.

The fact that the 21-year-old is beginning to get on the scoresheet regularly is sure to please many Arsenal supporters and the fact he found the back of the net with a left-footed shot is perhaps proof that he took some criticism on board following a 2-1 loss against Man City at the start of the year.

Amid giving Joao Cancelo a torrid time with his direct running and pressing from the front, the one negative for Martinelli that afternoon was his finishing as he curled one effort just wide, saw his next effort evade the far post and then somehow managed to hit the outside of the post with the goal at his mercy with attempt number three.

As two of those big chances fell to the Brazilian on his supposed weaker left foot, he was set a challenge by some Gunners fans on social media to improve in this area of his game and the goal against Leicester indicates he has taken the first steps towards completing that mission.

With that said, Martinelli's miss against Crystal Palace in the early stages of the game proves there is still room for improvement when shooting with his left foot, but if he can make his goal vs Leicester a regular occurrence then his overall game can certainly go up a level or two.

Furthermore, as there's an argument that Martinelli is not yet a guaranteed starter when Mikel Arteta has a fully fit squad available for selection coupled with talk of Arsenal signing another forward before the summer transfer window closes, the way he's started the season is a clear message to the Gunners boss and technical director Edu.

READ NEXT:

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Yeremy Pino links, Youri Tielemans latest, Hector Bellerin exit - Arsenal transfer state of play

‘Perfect, exactly what they were looking for' - National media react as Arsenal defeat Leicester

What Arsenal fans did to Tielemans, Martinelli message to Saliba: Moments missed vs Leicester

Every word Mikel Arteta said on Gabriel Jesus' display, William Saliba's reaction and Xhaka

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