Martinelli on target for Arsenal in draw with Sheffield United

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Sheffield United - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - January 18, 2020 Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli celebrates scoring their first goal with Nicolas Pepe and Alexandre Lacazette REUTERS/Peter Nicholls E

Arsenal's Brazilian teenager Gabriel Martinelli seized his chance to shine with a goal on Saturday, but Sheffield United earned a 1-1 draw at The Emirates with a strike from John Fleck.

The 18-year-old Martinelli, starting in place of suspended frontman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, struck from close range late in the first half after a whipped-in cross from Bukayo Saka.

Arsenal had a good shout for a penalty when Nicolas Pepe went down in the second half but VAR ruled in favour of the visitors, who then made the most of the let-off.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Sheffield United - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - January 18, 2020 Arsenal's Nicolas Pepe in action with Sheffield United's Enda Stevens Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

Fleck earned them a point late on when he beat Bernd Leno from close range, and the visitors ended strongly.

Sheffield United are seventh on 33 points from 23 games, while Arsenal remain in mid-table with 29 points.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Sheffield United - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - January 18, 2020 Sheffield United's Oliver McBurnie shoots at goal REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Sheffield United - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - January 18, 2020 Sheffield United's John Fleck celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Sheffield United - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - January 18, 2020 Sheffield United's John Fleck scores their first goal REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Sheffield United - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - January 18, 2020 Sheffield United's John Fleck celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Sheffield United - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - January 18, 2020 Sheffield United's Oliver McBurnie and teammates form a wall to defend a free kick REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Sheffield United - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - January 18, 2020 Arsenal's Nicolas Pepe in action with Sheffield United's Enda Stevens and Jack O'Connell Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Sheffield United - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - January 18, 2020 Arsenal's Bukayo Saka in action with Sheffield United's George Baldock Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Sheffield United - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - January 18, 2020 Sheffield United's George Baldock is shown a yellow card by referee Mike Dean Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Sheffield United - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - January 18, 2020 Sheffield United's John Egan in action with Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Sheffield United - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - January 18, 2020 Arsenal's Bukayo Saka in action with Sheffield United's George Baldock Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra