Arsenal vs Olympiacos: 4 talking points after quarter-final progression

Gabriel Martinelli Is Mentally Fierce

You look at Aubameyang who came back in after his disciplinary issue and, attitude-wise, he looked off. Disinterested and disheartened.

Compare that to Gabriel Martinelli, who has been left out of the side entirely for issues not relating to off-field matters, and a question of mentality arises. This is being positive, however, as Arsenal are into the quarter-finals, so Martinelli gets his section with a happy finale.

Despite no Premier League start since the 0-0 draw with Manchester United, you wouldn’t have been able to tell. He came on and immediately made an impression. Sprinting like he had Usain Bolt on his tail, his infectious work-rate has perfect poise about it: measured and well-timed yet ferocious in equal measures. He may not be elite yet, that will take a good while, but he has the mental resilience and attitude of an elite sportsman.

With all the tools he needs to show that with his feet, it’s a matter of time before the two combine to forge one of the best forwards in world football.

His unwillingness to surrender possession prompted Ba to have his moment of total lunacy and his dogged desire to win the ball back eased the strain on the rest of the side. Clever runs off the centre-backs opened spaces behind for the midfielders to push into, and his pressing set the tone for the rest.

It’s taking longer than most would’ve liked as Arteta moulds him into a centre-forward, but when the time comes it will be a joy to behold.