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‘He’s a real diamond’ – Oleksandr Zinchenko blown away by Arsenal prodigy

Oleksandr Zinchenko, Arsenal
© Arsenal FC
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The club’s newest summer signing has remarked on the ability of new teammate Gabriel Martinelli.

Oleksandr Zinchenko has hailed Arsenal teammate Gabriel Martinelli as a ‘real diamond’.

While the arrivals of former Manchester City duo Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus have naturally taken center stage over at the Emirates, Martinelli has ensured himself a place in the spotlight by embarking on a blistering start to the season.

The 21-year-old winger has scored in both of Arsenal’s opening Premier League games and formed a partnership with Brazilian compatriot Jesus in the attack.

“He is incredible, he is a real diamond,” Zinchenko told Standard Sport about Martinelli.

“I would say exactly the same things about him that I say about Gabriel Jesus.

“The way these two guys are working — how everyone is working really — every single day is unbelievable. He [Martinelli] has got amazing quality, and he’s still young. I am pretty sure he has an unbelievable future.”

Zinchenko himself has started both of Arsenal’s league games this season as a left-back, ahead of Kieran Tierney.

The 25-year-old Ukrainian will hope to make it three starts in a row this Saturday when Mikel Arteta’s side pay Bournemouth a visit for their next Premier League match.

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