Gabriel Martinelli shows ‘frustration’ by shoving ref in Arsenal FA Cup defeat against Southampton - ‘You can’t do that’

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It was another day to forget for Arsenal in cup competition as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Championship outfit Southampton in the quarter-finals of the Emirates FA Cup. And Gabriel Martinelli's frustration was obvious when he pushed the referee in an attempt to quickly take a free-kick during second half injury-time. The Brazilian was immediately shown a yellow card for his transgression.

Highlights: Late drama sees Southampton dump Arsenal out of FA Cup

Video credit: TNT Sports

Gabriel Martinelli has been no stranger to controversial incidents this season.

The Arsenal forward found himself facing an online backlash when he pushed Liverpool's Conor Bradley while the defender was down with what turned out to be a serious injury in January.

Martinelli later apologised, claiming it was a mistake in the heat of the moment, and all was forgiven.

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But another pushing incident got the Brazilian into trouble late in Arsenal's shock Emirates FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Championship side Southampton on Saturday night.

With three of six added minutes elapsed, Martinelli was in a rush to take a free-kick for a foul on teenager Max Dowman.

Referee Samuel Barrott was standing over the ball, though, and Martinelli was clearly in no mood to wait.

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He pushed the referee to the side before he was inevitably shown a yellow card for the rash decision.

"You can't touch the referee," said Lucy Ward on TNT Sports commentary. "I know there's frustration and Martinelli is trying to take it."

"Yellow card for Martinelli," added commentator Dave Farrar. "You can't do that."

Arsenal could not produce an equaliser, though, as Southampton held on for a memorable victory at St Mary's.

Viktor Gyokeres levelled for The Gunners after Ross Stewart's opener, before Shea Charles fired home the winner in the 85th minute.

Arteta: 'We have to show what we are made of'

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta called on his players to respond to their second cup setback in a fortnight.

After defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, and their FA Cup exit at the hands of Southampton, Arsenal are now fighting on two fronts: the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

Asked what went wrong on the south coast, Arteta told TNT Sports: "The result. Especially the way we conceded the two goals.

"We have so much dominance, situations in and around the box. We concede the first goal in a very unusual way for us, how we defend the box. The second one from direct play as well. They had another chance in the first half similar to that.

"When you have that many situations in and around the box - we had two massive chances before Southampton scored - you need to capitalise, otherwise if you make the defending errors we made today it's very difficult to be in the semi-final."

On the difficult conditions at a windy St Mary's, he added: "You have to adapt, to wind, to injuries, whatever. You want to be in every competition. You have to adapt to difficult situations in the season. Now we have to show what we are made of."

Arsenal are back in action on Tuesday night against Sporting in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, before hosting Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday - live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

Stream the Premier League, men’s and women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

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