Gabriel Martinelli’s late equaliser against Manchester City wasn’t just a moment of brilliance — it was a dream scenario that had already been predicted in a private message from his partner, Isabella Rousso. The Brazilian winger came off the bench to lob Gianluigi Donnarumma in stoppage time, salvaging a crucial point for Arsenal in a tense 1–1 draw at the Emirates Stadium.
“You’ll Catch the Tired Guys and Score”
Ahead of the match, Martinelli learned he would not be starting despite his goal-scoring cameo against Athletic Club in the Champions League earlier that week. Disappointed but determined, he shared the news with Rousso, who offered words of encouragement that proved prophetic.
“You’ll catch the tired guys in the 20th minute and score a goal, you’ll see,” she wrote.
After the match, Rousso posted a screenshot of their exchange on Instagram, celebrating Martinelli’s impact with a heartfelt message: “Let’s go. Proud, proud, proud, proud, you deserve it,” alongside a photo of him on her TV screen. She later added three fire emojis to his social media post, which quickly racked up over 100,000 likes.
"What a MAGICAL finish!" ✨
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 21, 2025
Gabriel Martinelli equalises for Arsenal in injury-time! pic.twitter.com/dFllxh3eFP
Martinelli’s Moment of Magic
Martinelli’s goal — a perfectly timed lob over Donnarumma — capped off a week of standout performances. His strike against Athletic Club had already reignited his form, and his contribution against City further cemented his reputation as a game-changer off the bench.
Arteta: “He Made the Impact We Needed”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was full of praise for Martinelli in his post-match press conference, acknowledging the winger’s energy and attitude.
“He’s in a really good moment again after the game he had in Bilbao,” Arteta said. “That period of time probably he deserved more, but his energy again, his attitude was really good and that’s why he made the impact that he made again for the team.”
Arteta emphasized the importance of squad depth and the ability of non-starters to influence games:
“We want consistency on that, for every player that doesn’t start the game to be able to do that… and we’re very happy with him.”
Squad Rotation and Tactical Chemistry
Arteta also shed light on his selection process, noting that decisions are based on performance, emotional readiness, tactical fit, and player chemistry.
“There are a lot of factors… the type of game that we predict, and the relationships that make each other better.”
Martinelli’s ability to thrive in these moments speaks volumes about his mentality and readiness — even when not in the starting XI.
What’s Next for Martinelli?
With a Carabao Cup tie against Port Vale on the horizon, Martinelli may be handed a starting role as Arsenal rotate their squad. But whether he starts or comes off the bench, one thing is clear: Martinelli is ready to deliver — and sometimes, all it takes is a little belief from someone who knows him best.
