Mikel Arteta’s side lost 2-1 at Craven Cottage on New Year’s Eve (Picture: Getty)

Mikel Arteta has admitted his decision to replace struggling Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli in Sunday’s defeat to Fulham “didn’t work”.

The Arsenal boss replaced Martinelli for Leandro Trossard after 68 minutes, but the Gunners suffered a 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.

Martinelli has been in poor form for the north Londoners this season, scoring just two goals and two assists in 18 Premier League games.

Arteta was forced to defend the Brazilian ahead of the match against Fulham, while Gunners legend Ian Wright believes his manager is not getting the best out of him.

Asked about his decision to replace both Martinelli and Ben White, who was replaced by Gabriel Jesus, Arteta said: “If you don’t change the result, they didn’t do it.” [work].

“That’s for sure, it didn’t work in the first half and it didn’t work in the second half either.” For a hundred minutes we were never at the level we wanted [be at].’

Arsenal do not return to the Premier League until January 20 and Arteta admits his side need a break to recover from back-to-back defeats.

Gabriel Martinelli has scored two goals in 18 top-flight games this season (Photo: Getty)

“We definitely need a fresh start after today because this will stick in our stomach for a few more days,” Arteta added.

“The game against West Ham felt very different because you can keep going, it can happen. What happened today cannot happen again.”

“If you do that, you’ll never get the chance to be where we want to be. Today could have been a great end to the year at the top of the league.

“It’s the margins and you have to find the balance.” It could have been the best day and it could even have been the worst day because you lost a game, but we have to look ourselves in the mirror because today is the worst game we have played this season, that’s for sure.”