Nketiah: Arsenal have a ‘really talented’ youngster, ‘good guy’ off the pitch

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Eddie Nketiah has told Arsenal’s website that the Gunners boast a “really talented” teenager in Marquinhos and shares what the Brazilian is like off the pitch. Nketiah is hoping to continue in building a relationship with the summer signing.

Marquinhos, 19, joined Arsenal in the summer from Sao Paulo and has made an instant impact. Shining in the Under-21 side, he has scored three goals in three Premier League 2 appearances. He made his debut in the Europa League.

The Brazil Under-17 ace, he scored one and created another against FC Zurich. Indeed, Marquinhos’ goal was created by Nketiah – and the winger created Nketiah’s effort. The duo combined superbly to beat Zurich away from home.

Nketiah and Marquinhos could combine once again on Thursday night, when the Gunners go up against Bodo/Glimt at The Emirates. They will be looking to make it two wins from two, and Nketiah has applauded Marquinhos for his start.

“We’ve gotten to learn about each other. He’s obviously a new player, and a really talented player and a good guy off the pitch as well. We’ve got quite a good relationship off the pitch and naturally that goes onto the pitch.

“It was nice for him to get a goal and an assist and the other way round for me, so I think we can continue to build that connection and help the team,” Nketiah told Arsenal’s website, when asked about Arsenal’s newest attacking star.

Nketiah: Arsenal teenager Marquinhos is really talented

With the Gunners allowing Nicolas Pepe to go out on loan and Emile Smith-Rowe going under the knife to correct an issue, Mikel Arteta is lacking width. Marquinhos can come in, perhaps ahead of schedule, and act like a new signing.

Of course, he is already a new signing. But his promotion into the first team was not expected to be as rapid as it has been. It means that he can save the Gunners a whole lot of cash in solving their lack of cover out on the flanks.

That starts with shining in the Europa League. He will have certainly caught the eye under Arteta in the previous Europa League outing. Now, he has another chance to do so against Bodo/Glimt on Thursday night, likely to be with Nketiah.