Gabriel Martinelli says Arsenal players are staying grounded as rumors of them being Premier League title contenders increase.
The Gunners beat Liverpool 3-2 on Sunday as Mikel Arteta’s men returned top of the Premier League, while making it their sixth straight home win this season.
Martinelli sent the Gunners to a depliant net in 58 seconds, before Darwin Nunez equalized on 34 minutes for the visitors.
Bukayo Saka restored Arsenal’s lead in first-half added time after being picked off by Martinelli, only for Roberto Firmino to fire past Aaron Ramsdale eight minutes later to make it 2 -2.
Arsenal then sealed victory when Saka coolly converted a penalty from the spot, after Liverpool midfielder Thiago appeared to knock Gabriel Jesus down in the box.
It was another outstanding performance from Arteta’s side, who made a very positive start to this campaign, with the title contenders already being mooted.
Speaking after the match, Martinelli, who scored and provided an assist, played down his title chances and revealed there was a lot of work to be done.
“I think we have to keep our feet on the ground and go game by game and try to win them all,” the 21-year-old told Arsenal’s official website.
Arsenal fan and talkSPORT host Laura Woods has praised the Gunners saying they should be seen as contenders given they are top of the league.
“As to whether or not they are title contenders, listen, you have to consider them given that they are top of the standings,” she told talkSPORT Breakfast.
“I think as the season goes on, I think Manchester City are the ones who at some point will walk away.
“I would love to consider Arsenal as title contenders, but I’m content with what we see at the moment. Manchester City are an absolute bulldozer.
“If you had told us at this time last season that Arsenal would be top of the table, with back-to-back wins over Tottenham and Liverpool, people say that’s not a strong Liverpool, you can only beat what is in front of you.
“Liverpool is still Liverpool, they still have Jurgen Klopp as their manager, and Spurs are still Spurs too.
“What I like is that pressure at the top of the table, and coming up against those big teams and getting into games, where Liverpool are coming back to that as well.
“To have that belief and be regimented to stay there, and not have that pressure, which has been a problem in the past for this young team.
“I love watching them right now, they’re just a nice team to watch.”