MY ACCOUNT
Gabriel Martinelli hailed the “family” feel in Arsenal’s squad as they returned to the Premier League summit with a swashbuckling 3-2 win over Liverpool on Sunday.
Martinelli put the Gunners ahead after just 58 seconds, while Bukayo Saka restored their advantage after Darwin Nunez had equalised for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Roberto Firmino pulled the Reds level for a second time shortly after the interval, yet Saka sealed an eighth win in nine Premier League games this season with a penalty 14 minutes from full-time.
Arsenal sit atop the table nine or more games into a season for the first time since December 2016 (15th game) – something Martinelli attributes to the positive feeling in the squad.
“It means a lot for us,” the Brazilian told Sky Sports. “We have been working hard and we deserve the win and we need to keep going because the season is long and we want to achieve good things.
“We are running for each other and we are a family, everyone is on their toes.
“It doesn’t matter your age, it’s your heart and how much you want to achieve in football and life. That is the most important thing.
“We need to believe and go game by game trying to win all of them.”
Saka has now scored 20 goals and provided 19 assists for Arsenal in the Premier League, with his 39 combined goal involvements second only to Cesc Fabregas (63) for the Gunners in the competition before turning 22.
And the England international believes victory over Liverpool proves how much progress they have made this season.
“In the past two or three years, Liverpool have been a team we have struggled against,” he said. “To win in front of our fans is special and it shows how much we are progressing.
“It gives us more confidence because they are a fantastic team and we have a lot of respect for them. I feel like we deserved to lead at half-time so to get that goal was crucial. I want to score more now.”
