‘They like to’: Gabriel Martinelli comments on how Liverpool play under Arne Slot after Arsenal’s 2-2 draw

Gabriel Martinelli ultimately inspired an unlikely comeback for Arsenal against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side looked uncharacteristically sloppy in the first half and Liverpool took full advantage of what might have been a slight European hangover.

Arsenal had just exited the Champions League at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain a few days earlier — a fate also suffered by Arne Slot’s side.

But Liverpool deserved full credit for their quickfire early goals, which should have led to three points.

However, Arsenal were able to rally at half-time and after Slot’s extended squad was put under the microscope once again at Anfield, there’s clearly some work to do in the summer.

Gabriel Martinelli comments on Liverpool’s ‘quick’ approach

That being said, Martinelli commented on how Liverpool approached Sunday’s draw under Slot, a side who Arsenal haven’t been able to match this season in terms of consistency.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Martinelli claimed that it was ‘never easy’ to come to Anfield, before eventually claiming that Liverpool like to play ‘quick’.

READ MORE: ‘Well placed sources’ have good news for Arsenal as they battle to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United

Martinelli said: “It’s never easy to come here and play against them after not a good result against PSG. 

“We play for Arsenal and we have to go to every game to win. We came with that mentality.

“We didn’t win the game but we did very well in the second half. We take the draw.

“We play for Arsenal, we can’t give up. We talked about pride and we have everything in the second half and did well.

“It’s hard to play against them. When the ball goes out, they like to play quick. We didn’t pay much attention for the first goal.

“We could have done better in the first half. Really happy with the point and the effort.

“It’s done, we know we lost against PSG, it’s gone already. We have to think about Premier League.”

Mikel Arteta still has a point to prove

Of course, Liverpool fans decided to mock Arteta during Sunday’s draw following his comments after Arsenal lost in the Champions League a few days prior.

And whilst Sunday’s result didn’t necessarily matter for Liverpool, earning a point from the game might have been pretty significant for Arsenal.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	36	25	8	3	83	37	46	83
2	ArsenalArsenal	36	18	14	4	66	33	33	68
3	NewcastleNewcastle	36	20	6	10	68	45	23	66
4	Man CityManchester City	36	19	8	9	67	43	24	65
5	ChelseaChelsea	36	18	9	9	62	43	19	63

Arteta’s side now face Newcastle United in a second place shoot-out next weekend, a match that the Gunners simply can’t afford to lose if they want to be the best of the rest.

Arsenal travel to Southampton on the final day of the season, a match they’ll still be confident of winning despite Manchester City’s struggles.

But in order to keep matters in their own hands, Arsenal can’t afford another defeat to Alexander Isak and Newcastle next Sunday.

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