Arsenal legend Martin Keown has waxed lyrical about Gunners forward Gabriel Martinelli.
The Highbury icon told BT Sport that he feels the 21-year-old has what it takes to shine at No. 9.
Martinelli has become one of Arsenal’s standout players in an amazing rise to prominence since arriving at N5.
The Brazilian has mostly been plying his trade on the left flank for Mikel Arteta’s Gunners.
However, he started at centre-forward for Arsenal against Sporting CP on Thursday night.
This was due to injuries to Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard and Eddie Nketiah.
Martinelli delivered a solid performance for Arsenal and could’ve easily scored two goals.
And Keown liked what he saw from the former Ituano talent.
The Arsenal legend told BT Sport: “I strongly believe he’s a natural goalscorer. He’s got everything in his game.”
‘Very difficult to play against’
When asked whether he thinks Martinelli is a more natural poacher than Jesus, Keown said: “I do, without a doubt.
“To watch out for his movement tonight, the way he sniffs out opportunities, he’s definitely a player on the move whenever the ball comes into the box, he’s never stood still.
“He’s very difficult to play against and I do feel that’s his natural position (striker). He’s not a player you go into and bounce off, but when the ball is in the wide areas, his movement is fantastic.”
Keown was then asked if he would have liked to play against Martinelli.
“There wasn’t anyone I feared, but his pace… pace is an ingredient that frightens defenders to death,” said Keown. “And he’s got pace in abundance.”
Martinelli is by far one of the Premier League’s top youngsters.
In his first season at Arsenal, he became the first teenager to score double figures since Nicolas Anelka.
Since then, Martinelli has gone from strength to strength, and it’ll be amazing to see how he continued to develop for club and country.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
