Liverpool hero Jamie Carragher defends winger after 'harsh' Roy Keane criticism
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Jamie Carragher disagreed with Roy Keane's analysis of Manchester City's winning goal in the team's 2-1 victory over Arsenal, defending Gabriel Martinelli's pressing tactics as a brave and calculated riskJamie Carragher has defended Gabriel Martinelli(Image: Getty Images)Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has mounted a spirited defense of Gabriel Martinelli after criticism from Roy Keane regarding the Arsenal forward's role in Manchester City's decisive goal on Sunday.Erling Haaland netted the winner in the second half as City triumphed 2-1 over its Premier League title rival, with Carragher offering a different perspective on the goal. Sky Sports' post-match dissection of the goal centered on Martinelli's choice to advance and press Marc Guehi, who had drifted to the left of City's penalty area to provide his goalkeeper with an outlet.READ MORE: Oliver Glasner issues Adam Wharton injury update amid Liverpool 'expectation' for Crystal PalaceREAD MORE: 'I managed in the Premier League - this is why Arne Slot firing talk is frankly ridiculous'Donnarumma identified the available space and bypassed Arsenal's press with his distribution to O'Reilly.
Credit to O'Reilly — he's an attack-minded player and his form is outstanding, and defensively, he was brilliant today.Martinelli and Arsenal lost at Manchester City on Sunday(Image: Getty Images)"But Martinelli doesn't have to press there! If you're going to take the chance to press, you've got to take the rough with the smooth."Analyzing footage of Martinelli winning possession and initiating an Arsenal counter-attack, which resulted in Havertz being thwarted by Donnarumma in a one-on-one situation, he explained: "The idea at the start of the game is to be aggressive and to press high."He presses here, and that ball is on to leave (Cristhian) Mosquera in a two-v-one.
That's the chance you take when you press high."The pass (for City) was on, but he (Martinelli) now wins a tackle. So Martinelli is taking the chance to go and win Arsenal the league."