Mikel Arteta speaks out on Martinelli’s performance against Sheffield United

Arsenal completed the signing of Gabriel Martinelli from Ituano in the summer transfer window and the 18-year-old has turned out to be an incredible talent as he has scored nine goals for the gunners already this season. Martinelli has not only impressed the fans with his ability to score but also his mentality & enthusiasm, and Mikel Arteta has also praised him.

Many Arsenal fans thought that Gabriel Martinelli would mostly play with the U-23 squad but he has however taken the chances that have been given to him in the Carabao Cup and UEFA Europa League matches, and this has now seen him start getting chances in the Premier League. Martinelli scored on his first start in the Premier League and was selected in the starting eleven against Sheffield United and he scored to help the gunners to make a 1-1 draw with The Blades.

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta faced the media after the match against Sheffield United and he was asked about Gabriel Martinelli making a step up and he agreed and also claimed that the young Brazilian international is so brave to make decisions during games.

“Absolutely. He’s an 18-year-old kid with all the enthusiasm but as well, he’s so brave to make decisions, to threaten the opponent every time.” Mikel Arteta told Arsenal’s official website.

“He’s all the time in the middle of the goal, waiting for an opportunity to come. The fact he hasn’t played 90 minutes for a while – since his injury – but is still in the way he went about every single action is impressive.”

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is currently serving a three game ban and this means that Gabriel Martinelli will be staying in the Premier League starting eleven, giving him a chance to impress his new head coach Mikel Arteta. The gunners have also lost Reiss Nelson to an injury and so Martinelli will have enough chance to become a regular in Arteta’s first eleven.