Expert shares ‘out of this world’ Gabriel Martinelli claim after journalist’s Arsenal transfer update
Noel Whelan has claimed Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli has a case to be labelled the “best winger in the Premier League” right now.
The former Leeds striker was speaking exclusively to Football Insider amid reported interest in the 21-year-old from rivals Chelsea.
Martinelli claimed an assist on Saturday (1 October) as Arsenal beat Tottenham 3-1 – bringing his tally for the season to three goals and one assist.
According to the Daily Mail‘s Sami Mokbel (2 October), there have been “admiring glances” at the Brazil international in recent months – with Chelsea among the clubs believed to be monitoring him.
The win over Tottenham maintains the Gunners’ one-point lead over Man City atop the Premier League.
Whelan suggested Arsenal are “real contenders” for the title with stars like Martinelli “at the top of their games”.
He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “He’s got a case for being the best winger in the Premier League right now.
“He’s exciting to watch, his game has come on leaps and bounds from last season.
“He is easy on the eye, a danger, can do something unexpected – and that’s what makes him so efficient.
“He can do something out of this world, and that makes him very hard to play against and defend against.
“I think you’re looking at Arsenal now as real contenders after the Tottenham result – so many players are at the top of their games right now.”
Martinelli scored six goals and notched seven assists in 36 outings during the 2021-22 season.
He is out of contract at the end of the 2023-24 season.
In other news, Football Insider updates as Arsenal reach agreement in principle on £52m Bukayo Saka deal.