Interview

The secret behind Martinelli's Chelsea celebration

With the team a goal down and a man down against Chelsea in January, Gabriel Martinelli sprung into action. 

Our 19-year-old striker carried the ball 67 yards before slotting beyond Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal, and he had the perfect celebration to match the moment.

 

"An interesting thing about it is that many people saw my celebration and said that I'd copied the fan who was doing it," Martinelli told Arsenal Digital. "I don't know if you could see it, but he did this before me. 

 

"The previous night at dinner time with my mother, I said, 'Mum, I'm going to score a goal. If I do, how should I celebrate? Like this or like that?' She said, 'Do this. Let me get the food ready. Celebrate like this and let me get dinner ready.' That's what she said and when I scored, I did the celebration she said. It was really cool.

 

"As incredible as it might seem, I was calm after scoring the goal but when I got on the team coach to the training ground before heading home, my heart was beating so fast. 

 

"I couldn't believe that had happened to me. Scoring at Chelsea, in a real battle with 10 men, was something I couldn't believe. It was a very important goal for the team that evening, and for me and my career, which I'll never forget. It will always be with me."