Gabriel Martinelli on target in Arsenal draw to Sheffield United

Published on: 18 January 2020

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Arsenal's Brazilian teenager Gabriel Martinelli seized his chance to shine with a goal on Saturday, but Sheffield United earned a 1-1 draw at The Emirates with a strike from John Fleck.

The 18-year-old Martinelli, starting in place of suspended frontman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, struck from close range late in the first half after a whipped-in cross from Bukayo Saka.

The result has left Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with just one league win in five attempts since taking charge at the club last month.

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Fleck earned the visitors a point late on when he smashed his shot from close range into the ground past goalkeeper Bernd Leno to equalize on 83 minutes.

Martinelli, 18, opened the scoring on the stroke of half time after he struck home a cross from teenage teammate Saka to put the home side ahead.

Sheffield United went close on 57 minutes after striker Oliver McBurnie rose highest to meet a floated cross from John Fleck, but the effort was cleared off the line by midfielder Granit Xhaka.

Arsenal had a good shout for a penalty when Nicolas Pepe went down in the second half but VAR ruled in favour of the visitors, who then made the most of the let-off.

Sheffield United are seventh on 33 points from 23 games, while Arsenal remain in mid-table with 29 points.

Source: espn.co.uk

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