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EPL: ‘He’s really trying’ – Arteta defends struggling Arsenal star
Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta has defended Gabriel Martinelli, insisting that the attacker is not struggling with confidence.
According to Arteta, the Brazilian is a ‘massive threat’ despite his lack of goals and assists for the Gunners this season.
Martinelli impressed in the Premier League last season for Arsenal, scoring 15 goals and providing five assists across 36 games.
But he has failed to replicate that form so far this season.
Martinelli has scored just twice and provided two assists in 16 games for Mikel Arteta’s side.
“It is difficult [to explain],” Arteta said at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League tie with West Ham United on Thursday.
“Sometimes it is decision-making, sometimes it is hitting the post or missing a chance.
“He is really trying. He is a massive threat for us. Everything that he generates with and without the ball, the pressure he puts on the backline, he is a key player for us and things will happen [for him] again.
“Confidence is not a problem for Martinelli. Sometimes he needs to put the break down or lift his head up and make that decision for everybody.”
Arsenal midfielder, Thomas Partey is set to make a return from injury by the end of January.
Partey has made good progress in his rehabilitation work and will hand the Gunners a timely boost.
The Ghanaian has been plagued with different injuries throughout his time in England and picked up a groin problem at the beginning of the season.
He briefly returned to action in October, but picked up another long-term muscular injury.
Partey was then left out of Ghana’s final squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
However, The Mirror reports that the 30-year-old has shown progress in his rehabilitation work and could return to the first team ahead of their Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on January 30.
Chelsea’s stance on sacking their manager, Mauricio Pochettino has been revealed.
Pochettino is under significant pressure as head coach at Stamford Bridge due to the club’s not too impressive display this season.
The Argentine recently watched as Middlesbrough defeated the Blues 1-0 in the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg tie.
His team currently sit in the 10th position on the Premier League table after 20 games this season.
However, according to The Telegraph, Pochettino’s job is safe for now despite their latest defeat to Middlesbrough.
The report added that his position at the west London club is not in jeopardy while Chelsea have a ‘realistic chance’ of qualifying for Europe.
Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro has said his side can’t use the difficult weather condition in Abidjan as an excuse ahead of their opening game at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The West Africans arrived Abidjan in buoyant mood on Wednesday morning despite losing 2-0 to Guinea in a friendly two days earlier.
The Eagles had a light training session after setting down at their base, the magnificent Pullman Hotel.
Peseiro stated that his team must focus on the task ahead and not allow any form of distraction.
“We cannot give excuses about the weather; we need to put in our focus, adapt well and do our best ahead of the first match, which is very important for us,” he told NFF TV.
The Super Eagles will open their campaign at the 2023 AFCON finals against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.
They will also face hosts, Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau in the group stage.
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