Clinton Morrison was left impressed by the speed and pace shown by Gabriel Martinelli and added that the Arsenal forward has ‘stepped up’ this season.
The former Crystal Palace striker referenced a moment during Arsenal’s win at Brighton over the weekend and how he beat Tariq Lamptey in a foot race when running through on goal.
The Arsenal 21-year-old burned Lamptey down the channel, but as Morrison mentioned, the Brighton fullback can get across the ground himself at serious speed.
This is Martinelli’s best season in Arsenal colours and there is a reason why the 21-year-old could pen a new contract, with a wage increase also being talked about from £70k-a-week to £200k-a-week.
The Brazil international has seven goals and two assists in the Premier League this season, and just like Bukayo Saka, there is no reason why he shouldn’t hit double figures with half of the season still to go.
Either way, Morrison thinks someone like Mikel Arteta deserves huge praise for Martinelli’s rise, who he thinks is just going to get ‘better’, as he told Soccer Special on Sky Sports.
“Lamptey is not slow, Lamptey is rapid,” said Morrison. “Look at the pace from Martinelli. It’s fantastic. He’s another one who has stepped up to the mark.
“He is only 21. He is someone who is just going to get better. Huge credit must go to Mikel Arteta.”
MARTINELLI ONE OF ARSENAL’S TOP PURCHASES
Signed as a fresh-faced teenager when Unai Emery was in the Arsenal dugout, Martinelli is now proving to be one hell of a coup from the club.
Arsenal’s transfer guru, Edu Gaspar, deserves huge credit because he played a big part in his fellow countryman moving to England and signing for the club.
Whilst Martinelli had his issues at the Emirates, including a big injury early on, the manner in which he has been nurtured and coached by Arteta and his backroom staff has been outstanding.
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