Mikel Arteta praises ‘ruthless’ Gabriel Martinelli as youngster set for U23s return

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Mikel Arteta has spoken glowingly about Arsenal youngster Gabriel Martinelli, insisting the Brazilian is ‘ruthless’ in training.

The young South American has not yet been seen this season, having been nursing a knee injury sustained last term.

Martinelli needed surgery, and was not expected to play again in 2020.

But his recovery has seemingly been going well, and the lastest (via the club’s official website) is that the youngster is looking to feature for the U23s before the end of the calendar year.

With the first-team really struggling at the moment, many Arsenal fans can’t wait for the return of Martinelli, and Arteta is the same.

Speaking in his Wednesday press conference, quoted by Arseblog, he said: “Gabi is another one that even in a moment of adversity you see him training and everything he brings and contributes to the team – his energy, his passion, his motivation – he is transmitting positive emotions to everybody.

“He tries and goes and goes again. He wants to score a goal and he is ruthless in training in every single action.

“So the more players you have to add, in the end that gets translated into what happens on the football pitch. Over time you will be stable.

“He is another one who brings something different to the team, and we need players like him.”

After singing his praises, Arteta was sure to urge patience over Martinelli, who will no doubt need time to build up his match fitness and form.

TBR’s View – Arsenal crying out for an in-form Martinelli

Martinelli’s return to the first-team picture cannot come soon enough.

Currently, the Gunners are really struggling to create chances and score goals, and Martinelli showed in his first season he has the talent to do both of those things.

Willian has been criticised a fair amount since his move to the Emirates, and it could he who makes way once the 19-year-old is ready to go.