BREAKING NEWS: “He’s a fantastic player, but Mikel Arteta doesn’t know how to manage him, which is why they’re struggling,” says Paul Merson. He advises Arteta to change the position of one Arsenal player, or else the team risks losing the league title this season.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is likely to be frustrated with Gabriel Martinelli following the team’s 1-1 draw against Fulham, according to football pundit Paul Merson.

The result at Craven Cottage dealt a blow to Arsenal’s Premier League title aspirations, leaving them trailing leaders Liverpool by six points, having played one game more.

The match saw Fulham take the lead in the first half through Raul Jimenez, who calmly finished to put the hosts ahead. Arsenal responded early in the second half when William Saliba equalized with a close-range header, reigniting their hopes of securing a crucial win.

However, Arsenal’s chances of snatching all three points were dashed when VAR intervened to disallow Bukayo Saka’s late winner due to an offside infringement.

Martinelli was identified as the offending player, having strayed offside in the build-up to the disallowed goal.

Analyzing the incident on Sky Sports, Merson was critical of Martinelli’s positioning. “You can’t be offside there,” he stated. “You’re looking along the line. Martinelli has incredible pace; he doesn’t need to gain an advantage by being offside. He’s fast enough to beat defenders even if they get a head start.”

Merson further speculated that Arteta would likely address the mistake with Martinelli privately. “I’d expect the manager to have a word with him in the dressing room,” he added. “You could see from Martinelli’s reaction that he realized his error. Being offside in that situation is completely avoidable—it’s just about staying aware and keeping an eye on the defensive line.”

Despite Arsenal’s rise to second place in the league standings, their position remains vulnerable, with Chelsea poised to reclaim the spot if they secure at least a point in their upcoming derby against Tottenham.

The draw represents a missed opportunity for Arsenal in their title pursuit, emphasizing the need for sharper focus in crucial moments.

Arteta will undoubtedly expect better decision-making from his players moving forward as they continue to chase the Premier League crown.

The disallowed goal serves as a reminder of how small margins can influence a team’s season, making concentration and tactical awareness vital in such a competitive league.