Takehiro Tomiyasu has named Gabriel Martinelli as the Arsenal player who scares him the most on the training pitch, with the Japanese international clearly a fan of the Brazilian attacker.
Speaking to Goal, the 24-year-old defender labelled Martinelli as the player who he fears most when in training at London Colney, with Martinelli’s development this season making the Sao Paulo-born winger one of the best attackers in the Premier League.
Tomioyasu said when asked about which player he is most scared about defending in training: “Gabriel Martinelli, He never stops. He has pace, aggression. He’s still young, but when he has the ball he wants to make the difference, he wants to do something.”
With seven goals and two assists in the Premier League, Martinelli has been one of Arsenal’s most important players as Mikel Arteta’s side sit top of the division, and whilst Tomiyasu’s minutes have been reduced due to Ben White’s right-back revelation, the defender has still been key to the Gunners.
Tomiyasu produced a sensational performance for Arsenal in their 3-2 win against Liverpool as the former Bologna star man-marked Mohamed Salah out of the match, and the defender’s versatility has made the Japanese star a firm fan favourite at the Emirates Stadium.
Indeed, whilst Tomiyasu isn’t a starter for now, Martinelli is seemingly keeping the defender in top form through training sessions at London Colney, and the Brazilian’s development has been evident throughout the Arsenal squad in the past few months.
Tomiyasu praise of Martinelli is a testament to Arteta’s coaching
Arteta’s development of players on the pitch is clear for many to see, with almost every member of the main starting XI becoming better due to the Arsenal manager’s methods and sessions on the training pitch, with Martinelli a clear winner in the past 12 months.
The winger has never looked more dangerous, and with some more fine-tuning and development, Martinelli could realistically become one for the best attackers in the Premier League, with the forward showing incredible signs of development this year.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
