The future of Arsenal is in good hands with the pool of talented young stars that are peppered throughout the squad. The Arsenal forward line of Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli has an average age of 22.
Realistically it could be the three which continue into the long-term future for Arsenal. Jesus, the oldest at 25 has elevated the performances of those around him and Gabriel Martinelli in particular has benefited with two goals in the first two games.
Martinelli’s future at Arsenal is not yet contractually assured, however, with his current deal expiring in two years. There is an option for a further season however the club will hope to tie the talented winger down to a longer-term contract.
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They will be encouraged by a recent interview in which he said he’d be open to staying for many years. Words that will have brought assurance to many Arsenal supporters.
"If I can, I’ll stay here my whole life. I want to conquer things, as I said, I want to stay here and win titles, with these wonderful fans, my teammates,” he told ESPN Brazil.
Furthermore, Martinelli is beginning to buy into the culture of the club. Beyond the inclusion in plenty of Arsenal’s marketing campaigns which draw on inspiration from the past, he is taking an interest in the work of the club from a youth perspective.
Still young enough to play for the under-21s, Martinelli was spotted alongside Granit Xhaka watching the youth side’s 2-1 win over Swansea. Emile Smith-Rowe, Fabio Vieira and Cedric Soares were all involved in the game, but the Brazilian’s attendance was noteworthy.
He is buying into so much to do with the club, and it is not going unnoticed. He receives high praise in the recently released Amazon All or Nothing series. In episode four a conversation between Edu and Steve Round is captured as the pair compliment the youngster.
"He's training well, Gabi," says Round. "So sharp, so fast, so aggressive. Edu, I love him. Honestly, I love him. He just, well, he just needs time, that's all."
Edu replies: "And as a person, he's a top boy.” Round agrees saying: "He is a great kid, trains every day like it's his last day on earth. He's just, he's a diamond, he really is."
Whilst there is reasonable uncertainty around William Saliba and Bukayo Saka’s contracts, these words and actions from Martinelli should encourage the club. A new contract will hopefully be sorted very soon.
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