Over recent weeks, Arsenal fans have been waiting for news of contract extensions, not just Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s, although that’s enough to shorten the fingernails and cause anxiety. There was also the not insignificant matter of securing two of the brightest talents at Arsenal, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli.
With the protracted negotiations, came the feeling that Arsenal might lose two players who could be the future of the club. Saka’s breakthrough season has been a mixture of exhilarating energy and technical brilliance, reaffirming the old saying that “If you are good enough, you are old enough” and at 18, Bukayo Saka has been a revelation in Arteta’s transitional season.
Likewise, Gabby Martinelli has been explosive up until the knee injury, with many fans announcing him as Aubameyang’s eventual successor. With the Saka deal finally done, the news of Martinelli’s contract extension was a sign that Arteta held the ambition and imagination of the younger Arsenal players, so it wasn’t a surprise to learn that Gabriel Martinelli had followed suit.
The 19-year-old scored twice in the Gunners’ outstanding 5-5 Carabao cup game against Liverpool in November.
The performance that night even had Jurgen Klopp cooing whilst announcing that Martinelli was the “talent of the century”. That’s when the alarm bells began to ring, especially after Klopp had managed to prize Oxlade-Chamberlain from the Emirates.
Gabriel Martinelli, with ten goals this season and three assists, has quickly established himself as a genuine find and those around him at Arsenal are predicting big things, so it was important to secure his services before anyone else. With major bookmakers and other uk online casino offering insignificant odds on Arsenal finishing in the top four this season, securing the services of certain key players are absolutely essential for Arsenal to make something out of their next seasons campaign and Martinelli is one of those all important players for the club now.
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The deal has been described as “long term”, but details are scarce along with his salary but I doubt, anyone cares about that, they just wanted to know he would remain an Arsenal player.
I will personally predict that he will be one of the Premiership’s biggest stars in the coming years. Where Eddie Nketiah reminds me of Ian Wright, with his natural instincts for goal, Martinelli reminds me of a cross between Henry and Aubameyang.
He can go wide and cut in or occupy a central role as a game unfolds. He has the predatory nature and ability, pace, and technical skills to be Arsenal’s number 9 for a decade. Some think he is similar to Ronaldo, steep praise indeed and he has attracted praise from former professionals. Martin Keown said:
“He’s a shining light. He’s been outstanding. The composure is brilliant.”
“He’s happy to do the work. So many players don’t want to run.”
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“He’s a centre-forward at heart. There’s too many players who sulk after being moved into a different position.”
“He shows the desire.”
While former West Ham and Chelsea star Joe Cole remarked:
“This lad is a very, very good player. He’s the future of Arsenal.”
Arsenal fans sense something special is coming, the evidence, this far, suggests they’re right.
