Arteta promises massive fan favourite he still has Arsenal future Mikel Arteta insists Gabriel Martinelli has a “bright future” at Arsenal despite a lack of first-team opportunities this season. The 19-year-old forward joined the Gunners from Ituano in the summer of 2019. Howver, he has had injury issues and made only 13 appearances this campaign, with his last start coming against Manchester United in January. He is the centre of talk from Arsenal fans and pundits, with former Gunners defender Martin Keown calling for Martinelli to be given more game time after last week’s 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool. “That I understand,” boss Arteta said when asked about those who are calling for him to feature more. “When the team is not winning enough football matches, we always look for someone else to do it. But we can name a few of those. “I respect that, and Gabi is doing really well. He is doing better every day, he is getting the right development. “We have to be a little bit patient with him but he has a bright future at the club and he will have all the opportunities that he needs to show us how good he is and the career he can have with us.” Arsenal have made a shift from experience to youth since Arteta took over, with Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka already establishing themselves in the side. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has also found himself on the bench in recent weeks. But Arteta believes Martinelli’s time will come, with the player previously revealing how Manchester United missed out on him. “Because we cannot put six or seven young kids out there. We need some cohesion, we need the timing,” Arteta said. “Gabi has a lot of things to improve. He has got big qualities as well, and we have other players in those positions. “Then we have to create links within the team and balance within the team. This will come.” Give our social media channels a follow – we’re on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Arsenal move for another Martinelli Arsenal have made contact with the agent of Brazilian teenager Matheus Martinelli, who has impressed for Fluminense since debuting last year. The 19-year-old has made 16 appearances in all, playing in a central or defensive midfield role. He’s netted three goals and registered one assist in those outings. His performances have made him the latest promising South American starlet to attract interest from Europe, just like his namesake Gabriel, who moved to the Emirates in 2019. And the Gunners are one of those who have been impressed. The Premier League side have been scouting the youngster in order to follow his progress. And according to Globo Esporte (via Sport Witness) they have now moved to find out more about his situation. However, they also point out that these were only ‘initial contacts’, meaning a deal nor a bid is on the cards as of yet. Should the interest go any further, though, the London club would have to pay a hefty €40million release clause. What’s more, the player and his agents are also happy for Martinelli to remain in Brazil for now. He is understood to be happy in his current setting and wants to stay in order to develop his game. He also wants to feature in the Copa Libertadores for the first time in 2021. Therefore, a move to Europe does not appear to be under consideration right now. But a future transfer has not been ruled out and seems to be a real possibility. The post Arteta promises massive fan favourite he still has Arsenal future appeared first on TEAMtalk.

Mikel Arteta insists Gabriel Martinelli has a “bright future” at Arsenal despite a lack of first-team opportunities this season.

The 19-year-old forward joined the Gunners from Ituano in the summer of 2019. Howver, he has had injury issues and made only 13 appearances this campaign, with his last start coming against Manchester United in January.

He is the centre of talk from Arsenal fans and pundits, with former Gunners defender Martin Keown calling for Martinelli to be given more game time after last week’s 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool.

“That I understand,” boss Arteta said when asked about those who are calling for him to feature more.

“When the team is not winning enough football matches, we always look for someone else to do it. But we can name a few of those.

“I respect that, and Gabi is doing really well. He is doing better every day, he is getting the right development.

“We have to be a little bit patient with him but he has a bright future at the club and he will have all the opportunities that he needs to show us how good he is and the career he can have with us.”

Arsenal have made a shift from experience to youth since Arteta took over, with Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka already establishing themselves in the side.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has also found himself on the bench in recent weeks. But Arteta believes Martinelli’s time will come, with the player previously revealing how Manchester United missed out on him.

“Because we cannot put six or seven young kids out there. We need some cohesion, we need the timing,” Arteta said.

“Gabi has a lot of things to improve. He has got big qualities as well, and we have other players in those positions.

“Then we have to create links within the team and balance within the team. This will come.”

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Arsenal move for another Martinelli

Arsenal have made contact with the agent of Brazilian teenager Matheus Martinelli, who has impressed for Fluminense since debuting last year.

The 19-year-old has made 16 appearances in all, playing in a central or defensive midfield role. He’s netted three goals and registered one assist in those outings. His performances have made him the latest promising South American starlet to attract interest from Europe, just like his namesake Gabriel, who moved to the Emirates in 2019.

And the Gunners are one of those who have been impressed. The Premier League side have been scouting the youngster in order to follow his progress.

And according to Globo Esporte (via Sport Witness) they have now moved to find out more about his situation.

However, they also point out that these were only ‘initial contacts’, meaning a deal nor a bid is on the cards as of yet.

Should the interest go any further, though, the London club would have to pay a hefty €40million release clause.

What’s more, the player and his agents are also happy for Martinelli to remain in Brazil for now.

He is understood to be happy in his current setting and wants to stay in order to develop his game. He also wants to feature in the Copa Libertadores for the first time in 2021. 

Therefore, a move to Europe does not appear to be under consideration right now. But a future transfer has not been ruled out and seems to be a real possibility.

 

The post Arteta promises massive fan favourite he still has Arsenal future appeared first on TEAMtalk.

Robert McCarthy