Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has told the club’s official website that he believes Gabriel Martinelli has ‘huge potential’ and could develop into a key player with the Gunners.
Martinelli has suffered badly with injury this season, which seems to have derailed his progress somewhat.
The Brazilian has largely had to make do with substitute appearances over recent weeks.
But the Arsenal boss says that he expects Martinelli to play a more prominent role in the future.
“We know that he’s got a huge potential and he’s done some really good things since he’s come back,” he said.
“He has a lot of things to develop in his game because of course at his age it’s normal. He came here from a different league and physically it’s much more demanding than the Spanish league.
“He got injured, he wanted to get back, he got back and then he got injured again, so his rhythm has been in and out. He hasn’t had a pre-season and he hasn’t had the type of that is needed for such a change.
“Then it’s probably anxiety from being so willing to do well and to feel important because he’s a big signing. All those things add up and he broke down again, so we have to be patient now and he needs to recover properly because he’s going to be key for us.”
Martinelli’s task of breaking into Arsenal’s team right now looks a tough one.
Alexandre Lacazette has improved on his early showings this season up-front, while Nicolas Pepe and and Bukayo Saka have also impressed on the wings.
Martinelli is still hugely popular among Arsenal supporters though, and the news that remains integral to Arteta’s future plans will go down well.
The Gunners are next in action on Sunday, when they take on Leeds United.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
