Martinelli Magic! Brazilian Reaches 50 Goals as Arsenal Crush Ipswich-The mood in the away end at Portman Road was electric long before kickoff. Arsenal fans, still buzzing from their historic Champions League triumph over Real Madrid just days earlier, belted out chants with the kind of belief that only comes from a team hitting its stride at the perfect moment. And by the final whistle, that belief had been rewarded in emphatic fashion—a ruthless 4-0 demolition of Ipswich Town, a performance that sent a clear message to their Premier League rivals: This Arsenal side is not slowing down.
Mikel Arteta, ever the perfectionist, had warned against complacency in his pre-match press conference. “Every game is a final now,” he stressed. But if there were any fears of a post-Bernabéu hangover, they were swiftly put to rest. From the first whistle, the Gunners played with the swagger of a team that knows it’s operating at peak levels.
Arteta’s Selection: Trust in Key Men
Despite the quick turnaround, Arteta named a strong starting XI, making only three changes from the side that stunned Madrid:
- Ben White returned at right-back, replacing Jurrien Timber
- Kieran Tierney got the nod at left-back over youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly
- Leandro Trossard came in for Thomas Partey, pushing Mikel Merino back into his natural midfield role
The big question had been Bukayo Saka’s fitness, given his recent hamstring concerns. But the England star not only started—he thrived, playing a pivotal role in Arsenal’s attacking fluidity.
First Half Flourish: Trossard & Martinelli Strike
From the opening minutes, Arsenal’s dominance was evident. Ipswich, battling relegation and devoid of confidence, struggled to cope with the Gunners’ relentless pressing and quick transitions.
Trossard’s Opener (14’) – Arsenal’s 100th Goal This Season
The breakthrough came from a textbook counterattack. After a sloppy Ipswich turnover, Martin Ødegaard surged forward, fed Saka on the right, and the winger’s cutback found Trossard—who, despite slipping, managed to squeeze a shot through Dara O’Shea’s legs and into the bottom corner.
Martinelli’s Milestone (28’) – 50th Arsenal Goal
The second was a thing of beauty. William Saliba’s raking crossfield pass found Trossard, who combined with Saka before Merino’s clever flick set up Gabriel Martinelli for a simple finish. The Brazilian wheeled away in celebration, marking his half-century for the club in style.
Ipswich’s Nightmare Worsens: Davis Sees Red (31’)
If the scoreline wasn’t bad enough for the hosts, left-back Leif Davis compounded their misery with a reckless stamp on Saka’s Achilles, earning a straight red card. From that moment, any hope of a comeback vanished.
Second Half: Gunners Turn the Screw
With a man advantage, Arsenal toyed with Ipswich. Saka could’ve had a hat-trick before the break, but his finishing let him down. It didn’t matter.
Trossard’s Brace (68’) – Ice in His Veins
A clever short corner routine between Rice and Ødegaard found Trossard lurking inside the box. The Belgian took one touch before drilling a low shot into the net—his first brace for the club.
Nwaneri’s Cameo & Late Fourth (89’)
With the game won, Arteta handed Kieran Tierney his 100th Premier League appearance and gave academy star Nathan Butler-Oyedeji his senior debut. But it was another youngster, Ethan Nwaneri, who capped off the scoring, his deflected strike trickling in after a slick team move.
What This Means: Arsenal’s Title Charge Gathers Steam
This wasn’t just a routine win—it was a statement. With Manchester City and Liverpool both in action later, Arsenal knew they had to keep the pressure on. And they did so with a performance that blended control, creativity, and cutting edge.
Key Takeaways:
✔ Trossard’s Emergence as a Big-Game Player – Two goals and constant menace
✔ Saka’s Fitness a Major Boost – Played 80+ minutes with no issues
✔ Defensive Solidity Continues – Saliba & Gabriel (when fit) remain imperious
✔ Squad Depth Shining – Even without Jesus, Havertz, and Jorginho, they dominated
What’s Next?
- Crystal Palace (H) – Premier League (Wed)
- PSG (H) – Champions League Semi-Final (Apr 29)
The fixtures are coming thick and fast, but Arsenal look ready. This is a team playing with belief, cohesion, and a hunger that could yet deliver silverware.
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