"Anxious" Martinelli ignores Arteta's advice after Pepe outburst

Gabriel Martinelli was one of several Arsenal youngsters who had a chance to impress Mikel Arteta during the Gunners' Carabao Cup win over Leeds.

The north London club are safely through to the next round thanks to second-half goals from Calum Chambers and Eddie Nketiah.

Arteta rested several first-team players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as he gave his fringe stars some much-needed game time.

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Martinelli, who has had a frustrating start to the season, played out on the left-wing as Nketiah led the line for the hosts.

The 20-year-old has rarely got a look in this term with the likes of Emile Smith Rowe, Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe and Aubameyang above him in the pecking order.

Gabriel Martinelli was handed a rare start against Leeds ( Image:

Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

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Martinelli saw some action in the north London club's opening two Premier League games as he started the 2-0 defeat to Brentford on the left flank and played down the middle for the loss to Chelsea.

But since then he has not featured in the league, only in Arsenal's Carabao Cup wins over West Brom and AFC Wimbledon, and now Leeds.

Martinelli knew this was a fleeting chance to show what he can do and that seemed to have an adverse effect on his performance.

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The Brazilian was almost guilty of trying too much at times and was wasteful in the final third, clearly showing that his sustained spell on the bench has knocked his confidence somewhat.

This was evident when the forward opted to take a shot at goal when the better option was a short pass to Mohamed Elneny, something he then apologised for as he realised it was the wrong option.

There was even a moment in when his teammate Pepe had a go at him as he drove to the by-line, cutting back on several occasions instead of releasing the ball to the Ivorian.

Gabriel Martinelli in action against Leeds ( Image:

Getty Images)

Arteta hinted earlier this month that Martinelli's "eagerness" to be playing in the first team has been detrimental to his development and the main reason why the "anxious" player hasn't been playing recently.

He said: "He needs time. He is so willing and so anxious that it can block his development sometimes as well, sometimes he won't understand my decisions but the only reason I make those is to help him.

"There are a few things that have to be better and one of those is to manage when he doesn't play. You have to know how to suffer when you are on the bench. You have to be able to swallow that, all your ego and anger, all your willingness to play the game."

Arteta did make it clear that he was still a part of the club's long-term plans, however, as reports emerged of a January exit.

Asked if Martinelli could go out on loan in the upcoming window, he said: "No I'm very happy with him.

"We're not thinking of anything like that."