Arteta reveals Martinelli forced off through injury in quarter-final win | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta revealed that Gabriel Martinelli was forced off with a knock in Arsenal’s EFL Cup quarter-final win over Crystal Palace.

A late equaliser from Marc Guehi could not stop Arsenal reaching the semi-final stage of the EFL Cup after Maxence Lacroix’s penalty was saved by Kepa in the penalty shoot-out.

However, not everything was positive for Arteta’s side as star winger Martinelli came off in the 59th minute for Leandro Trossard.

The Spaniard was asked about the change: “He [Martinelli] could not carry on so we had to make the sub, but we were really good, we generated a lot of chances,” he said to Sky Sports.

“In the second half, they were more aggressive and we generated chances but we didn’t find the trigger in the right moment to put the ball in the back of the net. But overall, another victory and I’m really happy.”

Arteta reflected on a tough match against a strong Crystal Palace defence, that his side only managed to score through an own goal from Lacroix.

“Very happy to be in the semi-final,” Arteta said. “We played against a team that is very difficult to generate chances against. We generated a lot and should have scored many more goals than the one we scored. When you don’t close the games, it [conceding] can always happen. A set-piece, a long throw or a wide free-kick, it can happen.

“I think the players were so composed with the penalties and in the end, Kepa managed to save one. We are where we want to be.”

Arsenal have not won a major trophy since they won the FA Cup in 2020. The Arsenal boss was asked about the importance of moving a step closer to winning silverware.

“It’s the second season in a row we are in the semi-final of this competition,” he said. “We have a game every three days.

“We have the Christmas period right now. I wish everyone a happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year, and we will be here again in a few days.”