Merson Criticizes Martinelli's Offside Decision: "You Can't Be Offside in That Situation"
Paul Merson Slams Martinelli for Costly Offside in Arsenal's Draw Against Fulham
Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Fulham left fans frustrated, but it was Gabriel Martinelli’s offside that sparked the most controversy. Legendary pundit Paul Merson didn’t hold back in his criticism of the Brazilian winger’s costly mistake during the game.
Speaking after the match, Merson was visibly frustrated, calling Martinelli’s actions “criminal” from a footballing perspective. He explained: “In footballing terms, it’s criminal what Martinelli has done. I can’t express enough how in football terms you cannot be offside there. You’re looking along the line, you’ve got pace, he’s electric, so he’s not someone who needs to nick a yard and play right on the edge.”
Martinelli, known for his fast speed, had a moment of poor judgment when he was caught offside, which led to a big missed opportunity for the Gunners. Merson stated that with Martinelli’s pace, he doesn’t need to rely on tight margins to beat defenders. “He can give someone a yard or two. I’ll be surprised if he isn’t on the end of one in the dressing room when he gets in by the manager,” Merson added.
The former Arsenal star wasn’t done with his criticism, adding, “He even knows it – you can see on his face after. You just can’t be offside when you’re looking along that line.”
Merson’s words stress the importance of keeping composure and making smart decisions on the field. For someone as quick and talented as Martinelli, relying on split-second timing and keeping the correct positioning should come naturally, yet the error on Saturday cost Arsenal important points.
Martinelli’s offside call wasn’t just a missed chance—it was a clear tactical mistake, one that will likely be discussed behind the scenes at Arsenal’s training ground.
While Merson’s comments shows his disappointment, it’s clear that Martinelli is still a vital player for Arsenal, and he’ll need to bounce back quickly to avoid further criticism.
What’s your opinion on Martinelli’s mistake? Was Merson too harsh, or did he speak the truth?
