Gary Neville could not understand what ‘non-existent’ Arsenal player was doing during Liverpool clash

Gary Neville was far from impressed with what he saw from one Arsenal player at Anfield.

The teams could not be divided after 45 minutes of football on Merseyside, as Arsenal quietened Anfield by keeping Liverpool at bay.

Despite being able to walk in at half time with the scoreline even, Mikel Arteta suffered a nightmare just four minutes into proceedings.

If William Saliba’s early injury against Liverpool wasn’t concerning enough for the Arsenal manager, then another player’s performance was.

Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Gary Neville fumes at Gabriel Martinelli’s performance vs Liverpool

After Arteta didn’t give Gabriel Martinelli any minutes against Leeds United, the Brazilian returned to the starting line-up against Liverpool.

Martinelli’s form has been so poor in recent months, and in the first half at Anfield, the 24-year-old didn’t do himself any favours.

Whether it was the usual complaint of running with his head down or failing to make himself available, the Brazil international flattered to deceive.

Gary Neville was one to notice Martinelli’s struggles on the left side, as he called for the winger to do more during Sky Sports’ coverage of the clash.

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“He needs to be doing more,” Neville said on Sky Sports’ commentary [17:07, 31/08/25].

“Not just with that one, watch him, the ball went over to Declan Rice earlier, and his movement was non-existent. He should come short and spin behind, but he’s just standing next to Szoboszlai.”

Neville saw Martinelli moving stagnantly on the left, which appalled the pundit, who, like many Arsenal fans, want to see the Brazilian do a lot better.

Martinelli’s first-half stats vs Liverpool

If Martinelli’s first-half showing wasn’t poor enough on the eye, then his numbers certainly told the story.

Neville was more than justified to call for the forward to do more, as his statistics did paint the picture of a ‘non-existent’ showing on the left side.

Gabriel Martinelli first-half vs Liverpool 11 touches 4 passes 0 shots 0 crosses 0 dribbles 0 key passes 4x possession lost Gabriel Martinelli’s first-half performance vs Liverpool – Sofascore

Given how competition in the Arsenal squad is building and how much expectation there is for Martinelli to improve, the winger certainly isn’t doing enough.

It was a poor first-half display that the 24-year-old will have to resolve quickly if he is to turn his fortune around.

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