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Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has revealed that he is modelling his game on club legend Thierry Henry and still looks up to the iconic Frenchman.
THE LOWDOWN: MUCH ADMIRATION FOR A LEGENDARY NAME
Gabriel Martinelli has revealed his admiration for Thierry Henry and admits he still models a good part of his game on the Arsenal legend.
The Brazilian was still only six years old when Henry left Arsenal for Barcelona in 2007 and was not even born when the Frenchman arrived in north London in 1999. Regardless, Henry needs no introduction in Arsenal and Premier League folklore and his influence and legacy cuts across several decades.
Martinelli has been a mainstay on Arsenal’s left flank but is right-footed just like Henry. The 21-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last term, bagging six goals and six assists from just 21 Premier League starts, to stake a claim as one of Premier League’s most exciting young attackers.
The skilful forward has already started the season on a prolific note, scoring twice in Arsenal’s three Premier League games so far – including the club’s very first of the campaign.
THE LATEST: HENRY’S LEGACY LIVES ON
Speaking in a recent interview, Martinelli has revealed that he ranks Arsenal icon Henry as the best player to have played in the Premier League, while admitting that he tries to model some of the Frenchman’s style of play.
“I’ve met him before. He’s a nice guy,” Martinelli told Sky Sports when discussing the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.
“On the pitch, he was unbelievable, a legend for the club and the Premier League. For me, he’s the best of all time in the Premier League – an unbelievable player.”
He added: “Yeah, of course, I think everyone does [try and mould their game around his]. He was an amazing player. Everyone looks up to him. That one against Tottenham, for sure, that’s my favourite [Henry goal]. The one where he does the knee slide.”
Fellow Brazilian Gabriel Jesus has also previously heaped praise on Henry, although added that he wanted to create his own legacy at the club.
“When you say Arsenal, you mean Thierry Henry. Thierry is unique, he is one of the greatest players ever,” Jesus told Goal earlier this summer.
“But I don’t want to be the new Thierry Henry. I want to make myself a name in this club’s history. I will be there: 90 minutes per game in the box, trying to score, trying to help.”
THE VERDICT: GOOD SOURCE OF INSPIRATION
Already making the early mark and top of the Premier League after three games, Martinelli and Arsenal will be aiming to make it four wins from four at the start of a league campaign since the 2004/05 campaign, when they won their first five games on the bounce.
Another win for the Gunners will give them much confidence but the idea is to take it all as one game at a time, as recently advised by Martin Odegaard.
