Gabriel Martinelli highlights vs Liverpool proved why he can't sign new Arsenal deal soon enough, he destroyed them
Gabriel Martinelli lived up to the glowing pre-match endorsement given to him by Jurgen Klopp yesterday as he terrorised Liverpool in Arsenal's 3-2 win.
And the news today of him formally entering talks over a new deal will come as no surprise following his latest dazzling display in a string of stunning performances so far this season.
Arsenal took the lead inside the first minute after a rapid counter-attack ended with Martin Ødegaard slipping in Martinelli to give the Gunners an early lead. It was a cool finish that got the Emirates rocking.
Martinelli was then involved again for Arsenal's second goal as he darted down the left-hand-side before cutting back and playing the ball across the box to Bukayo Saka, who put Arsenal back in front just before half-time.
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Martinelli has still got just under two years left on the contract he signed back in the summer of 2020 but the Brazilian has proven this season that he is deserving of an improved contract to reflect his increasing influence on this team.
Martinelli himself has said that he is very keen on committing himself to the Gunners, saying: "Of course I want to stay. It's my best season. I'm so happy.".
And his highlights from yesterday's win will only serve to whet the appetite of supporters keen to see him put pen to paper on new terms as he terrorised Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez on the Liverpool right-hand side.
— . (@arsburner2) October 9, 2022
This will undoubtedly be music to Arsenal fans' ears as the 21-year-old Brazilian winger has been one of the club's best players so far this term, scoring four and assisting two in the first nine games of the Premier League season.
One fan tweeted: "You hear that Klopp. He belongs with this team". Klopp has openly expressed his admiration for Martinelli in the past on multiple occasions, including in his pre-match press conference.
Another person gleefully tweeted "he's N5 through and through."
And a third raised the point that Martinelli now has to be considered a "generational talent."
Arsenal have got off to a flying start in 2022/23, taking 24 points from a possible 27 and sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League.
One of the reasons for their success to this point has been the form of Martinelli, who has been in electric form since the first ball was kicked this season. The Brazilian international will be hoping to keep up this good form in order to secure himself a place in Brazil's World Cup squad next month.
Bart Smallman