Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli has had an electric start to the season and established himself as one of the Gunners' most important players.
An opening goal within 58 seconds against Liverpool at the weekend only highlighted just important the Brazilian has become to the young core of stars who have led Mikel Arteta's side to the top of the table – though there is an element of doubt over his long-term future.
Martinelli's contract isn't set to expire for another two years but the north Londoners are keen to tie the Brazilian down for even longer with big interest from other clubs. Jurgen Klopp himself called the star a "talent of a century" back in 2019.
Martinelli is in talks with his employers over a new contract – and a comment that he made in a 2020 interview with FourFourTwo is very telling as to where he sees his future.
The young attacker sat down with FFT pre-covid and claimed that it's his goal not just to win trophies with the Gunners but to become a club legend.
"I want to win the Champions League and lots of domestic titles to make Arsenal’s fans very happy," Martinelli revealed to FourFourTwo in the April 2020 issue.
"They deserve the best – not only the supporters but all of the club’s staff. I’d like to give back to the club after everything they’ve done for me so far and, as a result, become a Gunners legend."
Arsenal are currently top of the league with Martinelli hoping to be on the plane to Qatar with Brazil, having won Olympic gold in Tokyo last summer with the Selecao.
Martinelli is valued at £36 million by Transfermarkt.
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Arsenal have been linked with a move for Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli; the Gunners are said to have already made contact with the Italy international's camp.
Meanwhile, one man who could be heading for the Emirates Stadium exit door is Gabriel Martinelli: there's been talk of Chelsea making a shock swoop for the winger.
In other news, Aaron Ramsdale says that the Gunners have been motivated to succeed this season by the disappointment of missing out on Champions League qualification last term. The goalkeeper was speaking after Saturday's 3-1 North London derby win over Tottenham – a result which kept Mikel Arteta's side top of the Premier League.
