Kieran Tierney praises Gabriel Martinelli after he impresses again in Europa League

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Arsenal summer signing Kieran Tierney has been singing the praises of fellow new-boy Gabriel Martinelli after the teenager’s goal helped the Gunners claw their way back into last night’s Europa League clash against Vitoria.

Tierney and Martinelli were part of the home side who clinched a dramatic 3-2 Europa League victory over the Portuguese outfit.

And the Scottish international has clearly been impressed with the Brazilian 18-year-old, who has scored in Arsenal’s past two Europa League matches.

As per the club’s official website, Tierney said: “I love playing with Gabi, even in training as well – but I hate playing against him! He’s a great player. You can see how clinical he is in front of goal. He’s good at everything – there’s not a negative I can say about Gabi. He’s got the lot.”

TBR’s View – Martinelli may offer Emery a game-changing option off the bench this season

Martinelli isn’t getting into the first team ahead of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – as long as he’s fit – so his first season at Arsenal is likely to be all about cup appearances and substitute cameos.

But given that Emery has been unable to alter the course of matches with his substitutes this term as much as he did last time around, Martinelli could be a much-needed boost.

Otherwise, more and more games will drift away in the same vein that Monday night’s match against Sheffield United did. Arsenal need a wildcard off the bench and Martinelli is showing he could be that man.