Paul Merson has stated that Gabriel Martinelli is now looking like a ‘£50 million player’ for Arsenal, as he told Sky Sports.
The Sky pundit added that Martinelli is a ‘very special talent’ after he netted a brace for Arsenal against Leeds over the weekend.
That’s three goals within the space of a week for the 20-year-old, who is starting to showcase his true qualities to his supporters and cement his place in the first-team.
It has been two years since Arsenal’s technical director, Edu, helped snap up the young Brazilian talent for £6 million (Goal) and he is now proving to be a high-quality and rare find by those in the north London boardroom.
One area that has resulted in Martinelli’s progression at the club stagnating is the number of visits to the treatment room.
Well, Merson raved about the youngster’s performance at Elland Road and questioned whether he can now remain injury-free for the Gunners.
“Martinelli is a very special talent,” said Merson. “I like him, but the question is: how long is he going to be fit for?
“If he can maintain his fitness, Arsenal have got a new signing – a £50m player.”
It’s only the start, but Mikel Arteta has managed Martienlli very, very well since he has been at the club.
There have been constant cries for the quick-footed forward to earn more minutes, but Arteta remained patient with the player.
All of that is now proving to pay dividends because he is showcasing huge progression out on the pitch.
The recent axing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has also helped because it means more minutes on the pitch for Martinelli and someone needing to step up and fill the player’s void.
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