Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time equaliser showed why it is too early to write his Arsenal career off just yet.
The Brazil winger has had an excellent week, scoring and assisting in Arsenal’s win over Athletic Club in the Champions League before earning the Gunners a valuable draw against Manchester City.
The winger has lost his starting place – starting two of Arsenal’s six game this season – after a difficult time in his career but has shown just how important he can be when he is at his best.
“You can either sit there and sulk about things or you can actually have a look at yourself and think how am I going to affect the situation I am in,” ex-Arsenal forward Theo Walcott told BBC Sport.
“I don’t think he has ever been in this situation before, actually being constantly challenged in that position. He has had moments before when he has been on the bench but last year he was a starter, ultimately.
“This year he is kind of having to accept that he is going to be in and out, but he is definitely going about it in the right way because he is a hard worker, he is a grafter.”
The 24-year-old is one of the quickest players in the Premier League and both his goals this week played to his strengths, with the ball is played behind the opposition defence for him to run on to.
“I work for those moments. I leave [selection] for the gaffer, he knows what he does. I just do my best to help this football club,” said Martinelli.
“Of course, I don’t want to be on the bench. I want to play 90 minutes every single game but [Mikel] Arteta knows what he does, he’s the gaffer and everyone trusts him.”
Martinelli has been low on confidence and has been aware of the debate about his place in the team.
“As a player, you also have to deal with the mixed messages that can be created in this kind of narrative, when you are not starting every game,” added Walcott.
“So, obviously for Martinelli he scored after coming on [against Athletic Club] in midweek and he must have been thinking ‘right I am going to start on Sunday’ and then he sees Trossard start ahead of him.
“Again, how do you react to that? Do you sulk about it, or do you get on it? He obviously gets on with things.”