Gabriel Martinelli makes ‘best in the world’ claim over Arsenal teammate after Aston Villa draw
Share:
Gabriel Martinelli is confident Myles Lewis-Skelly will become one of the best players in the world after Arsenal’s disappointing 2-2 draw against Aston Villa. The Gunners’ Premier League title bid was dealt a hammer blow after they surrendered a two-goal lead against Unai Emery’s men.
![[LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Aston Villa FC at Emirates Stadium on January 18, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_236444397-f639.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Martinelli fired Arsenal ahead in the first half before Kai Havertz doubled the home side’s advantage 10 minutes after the interval. But Villa responded just four minutes later through Youri Tielemans, with Ollie Watkins grabbing an equaliser for the visitors.
![[epa11834546 Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal (L) scores the 1-0 goal during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Aston Villa, in London, Britain, 18 January 2025. EPA/NEIL HALL EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos, 'live' services or NFTs. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_236440853-4e82.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
A shell-shocked Arsenal went in search of a winner following Watkins’ 68th-minute strike, and Havertz thought he had found it when he turned in Mikel Merino’s shot with three minutes remaining. But Havertz was adjudged to have used his arm as he turned the ball in, and VAR ruled out his goal.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for Arsenal who had seen Liverpool score twice late against Brentford to extend their lead at the top. Consolation for Mikel Arteta came in the performance of Lewis-Skelly who put in another outstanding shift as a makeshift left-back and nearly created the winning goal for Leandro Trossard in injury-time.
‘We love him,’ said Martinelli when asked about the 18-year-old. ‘He’s brilliant, a star boy. ‘We trust him. I think he’s going to be one of the best players in the world in the future.’. Reflecting on dropping two valuable points in agonising circumstances, Martinelli added: ‘It’s a disappointing day. We wanted to win the game, but we have to keep going.
