‘One of the world’s best’ – Martinelli hails Jesus
Following his performance in the Emirates Cup, Gabriel Martinelli has labeled forward Gabriel Jesus as one of the best strikers in the world.
THE LOWDOWN: A FAVOURITE
Barely a month since Arsenal announced the signing of Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City, he has already become a popular figure in the dressing room and one player the fans have enjoyed watching in the past few weeks.
The Brazillian who had a decent career at City has already announced himself to the Arsenal fans with his eye-catching performances in the preseason games. In total, he scored seven goals in preseason including a hat-trick at the Emirates on Saturday.
The first of the many positive comments about the forward came from Martin Odegaard, who hailed the Brazilian and revealed his excitement to play alongside him next season. And just recently, Eddie Nketiah also praised his new teammate with his comments after the pair shared the pitch in the club’s 3-1 pre-season victory against MLS side Orlando City.
Arsenal may have made four additions so far this summer but it’s safe to say none has excited fans like the signing of Jesus. Having failed to break into Pep Guardiola’s first team at Manchester City, the Brazilian completed a £45m switch to north London and will now be the focal point in attack under Mikel Arteta.
THE LATEST: PRAISE AND GROWING CHEMISTRY
Martinelli, the latest to speak highly of the forward, feels his countryman can have a lasting impression on a young Arsenal squad.
“He knows how to win and it’s going to be important for us this season,” Martinelli said.
“For me he’s one of the best strikers in the world and I’m happy to have him here. I hope I give a lot of assists to him and we go to the national team together and I’m happy for him.
“I think (he can make Arsenal better). Not just scoring goals, but giving us advice and some things like that. When we press, we press together.
“When we defend, we defend together and when we attack, we attack together and that is not just me and him, Bukayo (Saka) as well and the whole team.”
With defender Gabriel Magalhaes making it a triumvirate of Gabriels in both the Arsenal and Brazil changing rooms, Martinelli revealed he had been trying to get Jesus to north London.
“We have been together in the national team and me and Gabi (Magalhaes) were always saying to him ‘Come to Arsenal, we need you!. You can see now what he’s doing and I’m so happy for him. It’s a pleasure to play with him as well. It’s been amazing. I’m looking forward to playing with them in the league.
“We scored a goal against Sevilla, I think it was the fourth one, I crossed and then Gabi headed it and then the other Gabi scored! It was the three Gabis. A very good game and a good win for us.”
THE VERDICT: A MAJOR UPGRADE
Goals upfront was something of a significant issue for Arsenal last season. Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah only managed nine Premier League goals between themselves. For a top side, one player should easily outperform that tally.
Jesus won four Premier League titles during his time at the Etihad Stadium, scoring 58 goals for City across six seasons in the competition. He has already shown glimpses of things to come in the preseason games he played for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The race for the top-four will definitely go down to the wire. If Martinelli and Jesus hit find some early momentum, then Arsenal might just end their prolonged absence from the Champions League.