'Big personality' Martinelli goes from 'idiot' to hat-trick hero

Gabriel Martinelli, remember when he was the one facing all the criticism? Well, he's just silenced those doubters in the most emphatic way possible: with a hat-trick. And it wasn't just *any* hat-trick; it was an FA Cup demolition of Portsmouth that secured Arsenal's spot in the next round. It's a far cry from the "idiot" label some were throwing around just recently, isn't it?

Martinelli's SHOCKING Turnaround: From Zero to HER...

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, never one to shy away from a teaching moment, was quick to praise Martinelli's resilience. "It's part of football, and then it's how you take it," Arteta said, clearly referencing the recent scrutiny. "He knew inside the reason why he did what he did." In essence, everyone makes mistakes; it's how you bounce back that counts. And Martinelli, it seems, bounced back with a vengeance.

What I found particularly interesting was Arteta's commendation of Liverpool boss Arne Slot. Apparently, Slot defended Martinelli after the initial incident. "I think Arne Slot spoke brilliantly after the game, speaking of your opponent in the manner that he explained the situation and the fact that Gabi had no intention whatsoever to damage any player," Arteta explained. "That's personality. Come in and talk on the pitch, which is the best part of it." Respect among rivals is always a welcome sight in this often cutthroat sport.

Let's be honest, Martinelli has had a bit of a rollercoaster season. After losing his Premier League starting spot to Leandro Trossard, it looked like his form had dipped. He's only started six league games, despite Arsenal sitting pretty with a six-point lead at the top. However, his Champions League form has been electric – five goals in as many appearances. And now, this hat-trick against Portsmouth makes him the team's leading scorer. Talk about turning things around!

"That's why to play for a big club, you need a big personality because it can be bad... it can be an action that you miss, it can be something that costs you a game," Arteta wisely observed. "And three days later, there is a game. So you need to lift yourself up and make it count." He's right, of course. The pressure at a club like Arsenal is immense, and mental fortitude is just as important as skill on the pitch.

Arteta's admiration for Martinelli's work ethic is clear. "I love it. Gabi, in every context that you throw him in, he plays, he doesn't play. He performs well, not well. Today, he scored three goals. Tomorrow, he's going to train 100 miles an hour, for sure. He's not going to change that. And that's Gabi." That kind of dedication is infectious, and it's exactly what you want to see in a young player.

For the record, Martinelli's hat-trick was Arsenal's first in the FA Cup since Theo Walcott's back in January 2017. It was also his first in 249 appearances for the Gunners and his first time bagging more than two goals in a single game in over a year. A truly special day for the young Brazilian!

And here's something that might surprise you: Arteta wasn't even surprised by Martinelli's two headed goals from corners. Apparently, his "timing in the box is really good." Arsenal's set-piece prowess has been a real asset since the arrival of coach Nicolas Jover. They've scored a league-leading 17 goals from corners this season. They even recently hired an ex-Liverpool throw-in coach, Gronnemark. Scoring three in a single game is a rarity, last achieved against Everton in May 2022, so I guess all of that extra work is paying off!