BREAKING NEWS: “I had heard people talk about him before, but it wasn’t until yesterday that I truly understood how strong and dominant he is. He pushed me to my limits and, at one point, I almost felt like giving up. He is honestly the best defender I’ve faced so far in my career.”
Those were the striking words of Victor Gyökeres as he revealed the one Manchester United defender who left a lasting impression on him after their intense encounter.
In a gripping Premier League showdown at Old Trafford, Arsenal forward Victor Gyökeres delivered a committed performance of his own.
Yet, despite his efforts, it was Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martínez who emerged as one of the standout figures on the pitch.
After the final whistle, Gyökeres openly praised the Argentine defender, acknowledging the immense challenge Martínez posed throughout the match and underlining just how influential he was in United’s defensive setup.
Since joining Manchester United, Martínez has rapidly built a reputation as one of the most reliable and aggressive defenders in the league, and that reputation was reinforced once again in this fixture.
Against Arsenal, he was ever-present at the heart of United’s defence, repeatedly cutting out danger and frustrating the opposition’s attacking moves.
Gyökeres, who was frequently matched up against him, admitted that facing Martínez was a relentless battle from start to finish.
“Lisandro was outstanding,” Gyökeres said after the game. “Getting past him is extremely difficult. His positioning is excellent, his awareness is sharp, and the way he anticipates what will happen next is on another level. It almost feels like he sees the play before it develops, and that gives him a huge advantage.”
Throughout the match, Martínez showcased his defensive intelligence by stepping in to intercept passes, blocking shots, and timing his tackles to perfection.
Arsenal struggled to build any sustained rhythm in attack, largely because the Argentine defender was constantly breaking up play.
Even when the Gunners attempted to tweak their approach or change their attacking patterns, Martínez remained a constant barrier.
“Every time we tried something different, he was there,” Gyökeres explained. “He kept making important tackles and interceptions. As a striker, that’s incredibly frustrating, especially when you know you’re up against someone of his quality.
He gives Manchester United a strong base at the back, and that makes a huge difference for the whole team.”
Beyond his technical and physical qualities, Gyökeres was also full of praise for Martínez’s leadership on the field. The United defender was vocal throughout the game, organizing those around him and ensuring the defensive line stayed compact and disciplined.
According to Gyökeres, that leadership only added to how difficult United were to break down.
“He clearly leads that defence,” Gyökeres noted. “You can tell his teammates trust him completely and look to him for direction. That kind of presence lifts everyone around you and makes the entire back line much stronger.”
Although Gyökeres had a few moments where he looked dangerous, he found space hard to come by due to Martínez’s smart positioning.
Time and again, runs that would normally result in goal-scoring chances were shut down before they could develop.
“There were situations where I thought I was in a good position,” Gyökeres said, “but somehow he was always there, changing what could have been a clear opportunity. Credit has to be given—he was exceptional, and he really tested us as attackers.”
After the match, Gyökeres made sure to show his respect to Martínez, highlighting the professionalism that exists even between fierce rivals.
As the Premier League season continues, both players are expected to play crucial roles for their clubs—Gyökeres leading Arsenal’s attack, and Martínez anchoring Manchester United’s defence.
Performances like this serve as a reminder of the intense competition and mutual respect that define top-level football.
