Reports have claimed that Arsenal are in advanced talks to tie Gabriel Martinelli down to a new long-term contract.
The Brazilian winger has had an excellent start to the season and he has almost matched his goal tally of six goals from last season. Arsenal have had a flying start to the season and they are keen to tie down their key players to new deals.
Martinelli opened the scoring against Liverpool after just 58 seconds to continue his impressive start to the season.
The 21-year-old has started in all nine of Arsenal’s league matches this term. The Brazilian has been one of their most consistent performers so far.
Arsenal have been one of the most prolific sides in the Premier League this season as Arteta has them firing on all cylinders.
As Emile Smith Rowe has been absent through injury, Martinelli has been leaned on more often this year.
Last season he made 21 Premier League starts and played more football than he had in any previous season.
He finished the 2021/22 campaign with 12 goal contributions and was one of Arsenal’s most explosive players.
A new contract is in the works
A report from Football Insider has claimed that Arsenal are currently in advanced talks to tying Martinelli down to a new deal.
His current deal with Arsenal expires in the summer of 2024, but there is an option for a further two years in his contract.
The report has explained: ‘The Londoners are working on tying the Brazilian forward, 21, to an extended and improved deal.
‘Talks are progressing well over a contract that would run until the summer of 2026 with an option for a further year.’
Martinelli joined Arsenal in July 2019, for a reported fee of £6million from Brazilian club Ituano.
He has been highly thought of in the Arsenal ranks for some time now, but he has recently taken his game to a new level.
This season he has averaged 2.5 dribbles and 2.3 key passes per game. He is versatile enough to play anywhere across the forward line, but he plays his best football off the left-hand side.
Jurgen Klopp was recently full of praise for Martinelli and so it’s no surprise to see that Arsenal have a new contact in the works.
According to WhoScored average match ratings, only Gabriel Jesus has averaged a higher rating than Martinelli.
His recent run of form has also earned him a spot in the Brazilian national side. Martinelli has received three caps for Brazil which all came during this calendar year.
Arsenal should build around their young stars
Arteta has done a fine job with rebuilding the core of this Arsenal squad.
The Spanish manager took over from Unai Emery and he has slowly rebuilt the structure of the side.
It’s no secret that plenty of money has been invested into this Arsenal squad across the previous few transfer windows, but Arteta’s role in the rebuild shouldn’t be underestimated.
The likes of Martinelli, Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale have all gone from strength to strength under Arteta.
Granit Xhaka has also been given a new lease of life recently and has been one of the best midfielders in the league this season.
The average age of the Arsenal squad is just 23.7, which is the youngest in the league. Arteta has done well in gelling this young side together.
If Arsenal continue to improve at their current rate, there’s no reason why they can’t be competing for the biggest trophies.
Given his sparkling start to the season, tying Martinelli down to a new deal would be a real statement of intent.
