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Arsenal legend Ian Wright has explained how Sevilla right-back Jesus Navas was frightened of Gabriel Martinelli during the two sides' Champions League meeting on Tuesday (October 24).
The Gunners beat the La Liga side 2-1 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, with Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus running the show for the visitors. The Brazilian duo connected for the opener in the 45+3rd minute.
Martinelli was played an exquisite ball from Jesus before rounding Norweigan goalkeeper Orjan Nyland and slotting home. The 22-year-old caused Navas all sorts of problems on the left flank in a torrid night for the former Manchester City winger.
Wright alluded to this when analyzing Arsenal's win over Sevilla. He told his Wrighty’s House Podcast:
"Can I just say sitting on the left side, watching Navas vs Martinelli, you could visibly see that Navas was afraid. You could see his face and how he dropped off, he had a covering midfielder, he was petrified of Martinelli."
Martinelli's performance was an all-round impressive one not only taking his opener well. He also made four key passes and won five of 10 ground duels. He was seen gliding past Navas on several occasions.
The Brazilian has made a scintillating start to the season, bagging two goals and as many assists in nine games across competitions. Tuesday night was Martinelli's first appearance in the Champions League and he certainly caught the eye.
Jesus was also on the scoresheet in the win, firing past Nyland with a fierce effort in the 53rd minute. Sevilla hit back through Nemanja Gudelj's header in the 58th minute.
Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli reacts to scoring on his Champions League debut
Martinelli was delighted to net on his 'dream' Champions League debut in the 201 win against Sevilla. The Selecao star took to Instagram following his impressive showing:
"Champions league debut goal and a win. From dreams to reality."
The Brazil international missed Arsenal's first two games in Group B of the Champions League. Mikel Arteta's men beat PSV Eindhoven 4-0 but suffered a 2-1 defeat to Lens.
The win against Sevilla sees the Gunners sitting top of their group, one point ahead of second-placed Lens. Martinelli is just getting started in Europe's elite club competition.
The exciting winger joined Arsenal from Brazilian outfit Ituano in 2019 for €7.1 million. He's since scored 35 goals and provided 21 assists in 139 games, winning the FA Cup in 2020.
