Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports / Getty
Topics: Paul Merson, Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, Fulham
Ryan Smart
Topics: Paul Merson, Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, Fulham
Mikel Arteta will be furious with one of his Arsenal players after the Gunners' 1-1 draw with Fulham, according to Paul Merson.
The Gunners dropped more points in their Premier League title battle with the stalemate at Craven Cottage.
Raul Jimenez opened the scoring for the Cottagers in the first half before William Saliba's close-range header levelled the scores on 55 minutes.
Advert
Arsenal thought they had won the game late on through Bukayo Saka, but VAR deemed there to have been an offside in the build-up.
Gabriel Martinelli was the guilty party, as he was deemed to be comfortably offside when the initial cross came in.
And speaking on Sky Sports, Merson believed the Brazilian would be coming in for criticism behind closed doors.
Advert
He said: "You can't be offside. You're looking along the line. He's got pace, he's electric, he's not someone who has to nick a yard - he can give someone the edge.
"I'd be surprised if he isn't on the end of one on the dressing room from the manager, honestly. You can see it on his face, he knew.
"You look down the line, do not be offside - it's as simple as that."
Martinelli has struggled for goals thus far during the current Premier League season, scoring three times in his 13 total appearances for the Gunners and providing a further two assists.
Advert
Arsenal are now six points behind leaders Liverpool but have played a game more in this season's Premier League.
The Gunners move up to second place, but that movement could be temporary with Chelsea able to re-overtake them if they take a point away from their derby clash against Tottenham later in the afternoon.
Fulham, meanwhile, are in 10th with their point but Marco Silva's side are only two points away from the Europa League places.