Arteta hails Martinelli and Saka after Crystal Palace thrashing

Gabriele Martinelli who missed a penalty in Arsenal's Europa League last-16 shoot-out defeat to Sporting on Thursday, managed to score one goal against Palace.

After the game, Arteta revealed that he considered putting Martinelli on the bench in this game.

"The reaction he had after missing the penalty... There's always the question,"

Arteta told BBC Sport.

"But I asked him how he was and he said he wants to be in the team.”

Martinelli who has scored 13 goals in the Premier League this season said:

"It is life. Not every game you are going to score and play well.

"Of course I was sad and spent the whole night thinking about that penalty, but it is over. I scored a goal today and we got the three points, which is the most important thing.”

created Martinelli's goal and scored two goals on Sunday, but Arteta said Saka was disappointed after he failed to get a hat-trick.

"He was disappointed,"

Arteta said.

"That is what we need. We need our front players firing and making the difference and today they did that again.

"The desire and the energy that we put in right from the beginning impressed me most. We were really determined and focused and left Thursday in the past.

"After playing 120 minutes, they have to come back here and do it again against a team with a lot of needs."

now is eight points clear of Manchester City, who has a game in hand. Arteta’s side will face Leeds after the international break, and City will face Liverpool at home.

"It feels very good, especially with the way we have played and the results we have picked up,"

Arteta said.

"Now we must stop and make sure everyone comes back from the internationals with the same mindset. We have Leeds next and we put the focus there."

Follow

for the