Mikel Arteta has stated that it is up to the referee to ‘stop it’ following Lisandro Martinez’s heavy challenge on Bukayo Saka during Manchester United’s 2-0 pre-season friendly win over Arsenal in New York.
It might be pre-season by name, but it certainly wasn’t pre-season by nature as Arsenal and Manchester United battled it out in front of a capacity crowd of just over 80,000 in America.
Lisandro Martinez showcased that as the 25-year-old strutted around the pitch like it was a Premier League game, with Bukayo Saka on the end of a hard tackle from the Manchester United man in the first half.
Whilst Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta pointed towards the on-field referee to manage such matters, he did make it clear that ’they are here to compete, as are we’, as he told his post-match press conference.
This is Arsenal’s first defeat of pre-season, but some much-needed minutes in their legs as they build towards the new Premier League campaign and another title push.
For Erik ten Hag’s side, it’s another tick in the box as they aim to dethrone their neighbours at the top of the table, this is what Arteta made of Martinez’s tackle.
“They are here to compete and to win, as we are,” said Arteta. “That’s the job of the referee to stop it.”
Martinez a no-nonsense player
In truth, many Arsenal fans will be raging at the Manchester United man and how his actions weren’t necessary.
But, in truth, if you had a player like that on your side, then you would be praising him to the top of the hill and back.
It’s just when that person on the other side that you don’t appreciate them, but that’s Martinez’s style and that’s who he is as a player. They don’t nickname him ‘The Butcher’ for no season.
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