‘Unai said’: Edu suggests one Arsenal player has surprised him

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Arsenal technical director Edu has suggested to ESPN Brasil that he has been pleasantly surprised at the progress that Gabriel Martinelli has made.

Edu, who played for Arsenal from 2001 until 2005, has said that Martinelli was signed by the Gunners with a view to the long term.

The Brazilian has added that former Arsenal manager Unai Emery spoke highly of him, and he has praised his compatriot’s attitude.

Edu told ESPN Brasil: “Being very honest, the Martinelli project was not for the short term, it was a little for the long term, but 100% credit to the player.

“In pre-season, he started scoring, catching eyes. Unai said he was going to be a player. He is a focused, hardworking boy, from a good family, he likes to learn… So be it! May these profiles be more successful.”

Stats

Martinelli joined Arsenal from Brazilian side Ituano Futebol Clube in the summer of 2019 for a transfer fee reported by The Telegraph to be worth £6 million.

According to WhoScored, the 18-year-old has made six starts and eight substitute appearances in the Premier League for the Gunners so far this season, scoring three goals in the process.

The Brazilian has also made five starts and one substitute appearance in the Europa League for the North London outfit, scoring three goals and providing two assists in the process, according to WhoScored.

Martinelli is progressing well at the moment, but the 18-year-old Brazilian should not be put under too much pressure and too much should not be expected of him, as he is still developing and growing as a footballer.