Gabriel Martinelli name two tough Premier League defenders to pass through

Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli has mentioned Manchester City’s Kyle Walker and Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate as the two defenders he feel are the ‘toughest to beat’ in the Premier League.

Martinelli, 23, is enjoying his sixth season with Arsenal and has come up against several of the most highly rated and decorated centre-backs in world football in that time.

With games coming thick and fast for the Gunners, Martinelli is set for plenty more intriguing tussles heading into the winter period, starting at home to Nuno Espirito Santo’s high-flying Nottingham Forest in ten days’ time.

An out-of-sorts Arsenal may well be thankful for the timing of the international break after what has proven a difficult period, with Mikel Arteta’s men winning just two of their last seven matches in all competitions.

When asked which Premier League defenders he finds hardest to beat in one-on-one situations, Martinelli named Walker and Konate from Liverpool. He described both as challenging to get past.

Martinelli shared his approach in these situations, saying it’s all about instinct. He observes the defender’s body position and tries to outmaneuver him.

He is also grateful for the improvement he’s made in his game since Mikel Arteta became Arsenal’s manager in December 2019.

Martinelli explained that Arteta has played a big role in his growth. When Arteta arrived, he was 19. One specific skill Martinelli learned from Arteta was how to control the ball with his left foot on the left side of the field.

Arteta suggested this technique to make it easier to take on opponents. Since then, Martinelli has practiced it, and now it feels effortless.