Gabriel Martinelli scored Arsenal’s opening goal against Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon, and Aaron Ramsdale was kicking it in with him.

Arsenal's English goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale reacts to conceding their first goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 19, 2023. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s English goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale reacts during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 19, 2023. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli faced a bit of a setback this week, as his penalty was saved in the shootout against Sporting CP.

The young forward would have been keen to bounce back on Sunday, and that’s exactly what he did, scoring the opening goal against Crystal Palace.

Aaron Ramsdale was watching on from half the pitch away, and Arsenal fans noticed the goalkeeper air-kicking the ball in along with Martinelli.

After a quick fist pump, the England international then turned away and shrugged his shoulders.

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We can only guess what Ramsdale meant with the gesture, but an educated guess would be that it was a response to any of the doubters piping up in the wake of the saved penalty.

Martinelli is not the kind of player to let setbacks get him down, and Ramsdale’s reaction suggests he knew the Brazilian would respond.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on March 19, 2023. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on March 19, 2023. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

After the game, Martinelli posted on his Twitter page with a message of his own, writing: “I’ll never get tired of playing for this badge.”

The 21-year-old is now just two goals away from equalling Roberto Firmino’s record for the most goals in a single Premier League season by a Brazilian (15). You certainly wouldn’t bet against him.

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