27 July 2023 , 08:34
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed his post-match conversation with Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez had nothing to do his brutal challenge on Bukayo Saka.
The Gunners met the Red Devils at the MetLife Stadium in New York on Saturday, where Erik ten Hag's men ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho. However, it was the tough-tackling style of Martinez that had many Arsenal fans furious after the game.
It is often the case that most players tend to ease off when it comes to pre-season friendlies. A low-stakes affair, the games are more a measure of fitness levels and a chance for managers to tinker with their tactics than anything else.
Therefore, Martinez's decision to thwart a Saka run by smashing into him long after the ball had gone sparked fury among the Gunners fanbase and even prompted an angry response from some of the Arsenal players on the pitch.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was certainly not best pleased with the tackle and made sure Martinez knew that immediately. However, Arsenal boss Arteta clearly didn't carry that same ill-feeling towards Martinez, as the pair enjoyed a lengthy discussion after the game.
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Arteta has since explained what the two were talking about, telling reporters: "I was just happy to see him over there. I know him personally. I was happy to see him back after the injury and that’s it, it is about the sport.
Martin Odegaard was unhappy with Lisandro Martinez's tackle on Bukayo SakaMirror Football is now on Threads! You can follow us here.
"It’s about the people we know and we wished each other good luck for the season and that’s it. It was a really good competitive game for us."
Both Arsenal and United have since played again, with the Gunners toppling Barcelona 5-3 while Ten Hag's troops were beaten 2-0 by Real Madrid. Remarkably, the post-match discourse was yet again centred around another over-zealous tackle from Martinez.
This time, the Argentina international caught new Los Blancos signing Jude Bellingham again long after the ball had gone. The England ace immediately shot up to give Martinez a piece of his mind, as did a number of other Real Madrid stars.
Jude Bellingham was left furious after Lisandro Martinez tackled him lateWith that being said, Bellingham did reveal after the game that he had made up with the United stalwart come full-time.
"The little tiff with Martinez is one of those things," added Bellingham. "He’s a brilliant player. I came in at half-time and I was ‘f’ing this and f’ing that’. But when he came over to wish me all the best when he came off, I really respected it.
"I know what goes on the pitch stays on the pitch. I saw him at the end of the game and wished him well. I can respect that when two players are trying to win for their team and can come together and be respectful after the game.
"He’s a great competitor and a great player. Just like me, he wants to win. Sometimes it spills over. That is part of the game. But I’m really respectful. We can have that moment after the game."