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Arsenal vs Southampton: 4 Things We Learned From FA Cup Defeat

By Ross Kennerley

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Mikel Arteta of Arsenal during Southampton v Arsenal, The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round, on January 23, 2021 in Southampton, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Mikel Arteta of Arsenal during Southampton v Arsenal, The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round, on January 23, 2021 in Southampton, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Gabriel Martinelli
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 23: Kyle Walker-Peters of Southampton battles for possession with Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Brazilian Rustiness to be Buffed Out

Neither Gabriel looked sharp on Saturday. That also is not a concern.

Gabriel’s opening to the game set the tone for the rest of the afternoon. Shaky on the ball and caught flat-footed on a couple of occasions, that filtered through into the rest of his performance, including some poor deliveries down the line.

Having been Arsenal’s best defender, and arguably player, for the opening weeks of the season and then missing the next six matches through illness, inevitable signs of rustiness were unavoidable.

Being knocked of the FA Cup is gut-wrenching, not least since it provided an achievable route back into Europe. Now it’s done and dusted, what few positive aspects there are stem from both Brazilian’s earning some minutes on the pitch. Gabriel needed that run out as he will be essential for the rest of the season, while the equally rusty Gabriel Martinelli is getting back up to speed following a string of unfortunate knocks.

Mentally both are as ready as they ever look, with the forward harrying down the ball and making some exciting runs on the left flank, none of which were found. Indeed, Willian found the referee with a pass (1) more times than he found Martinelli (0) in the first half.

Rustiness throughout, but valuable minutes for the Gunners’ Gabriel’s.

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