Martinelli can become one of the best in Premier League, says Willian

Gabriel Martinelli has a bright future ahead of him and is already good enough to play in the Brazilian national team, suggests Willian.

Gabriel Martinelli was a bright spark in what was otherwise an abysmal 2019/20 Premier League season for Arsenal.

Having arrived from Ituano in July 2019, the Brazilian sensation impressed during his debut season with the Gunners.

The 19-year old scored 10 times in his first 26 matches for Arsenal, but a serious knee injury shortly after football’s return after the three-month lockdown prevented him from improving his goalscoring statistics.

He has not yet put behind his fitness issue and is not expected to return to action until the early weeks of 2021.

A fellow countryman has arrived at the Emirates in his absence. And the new signing believes Martinelli has what it takes to reach the highest levels of the game.

“He has a great future I think. He can be one of the best players in the Premier League, no doubt,” Willian told the club’s official website.

“It’s because of his quality and also without the ball you can see that he is always trying to help his team and do the job without the ball. So I think he can be one of the best players.

“I think when he starts to play again, I know he is injured now, but when he starts again, it’s about time for him to go to the Brazilian national team.”