Talented Arsenal youngster Marquinhos hasn't quite lived up to Martin Keown's lofty expectations just yet, but the decision to send him out on loan to Norwich City could prove to be an inspired one.
The teenager arrived in North London last summer after impressing with Sao Paulo back in his home country of Brazil and showed signs of real quality during his first few senior outings for the Gunners. The highlight of his short Arsenal career so far is undeniably his Europa League debut away at FC Zurich.
Marquinhos bagged a goal and an assist in a 2-1 win for his new side, with the Brazilian displaying the kind of technique and composure that defied his years. It was a performance that inspired huge praise from club legend Keown, who waxed lyrical over him while on BT Sport.
He claimed: "He [Marquinhos] looked a bit like a [Serge] Gnabry type player. He’s short, stocky, explosive pace. He looked very classy. He picked and chose his moments cleverly, whipped a couple of crosses in. Really good quality. He kept on producing. I think it’s great news.
"We’ve seen [Bukayo] Saka, we’ve seen [Emile] Smith Rowe in this very competition start their careers. I think we’re seeing another star here in the making."
Speaking of Saka, weeks after Marquinhos' dazzling debut, Keown heaped further praise on the Brazilian by comparing him to arguably Arsenal's most gifted player.
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"Marquinhos is not playing tonight but he played in that very first game in Europe exceptionally well," Keown claimed. "It was like Saka in that position, it’s almost a copycat performance. That’s what you’re really looking for."
Things haven't developed as quite as quickly as Keown may have hoped for Marquinhos, given the young Brazilian is currently plying his trade at Carrow Road instead of the Emirates.
Marquinhos struggled to really kick on and get a consistent run of games under boss Mikel Arteta after his debut, but that's not to say he won't come good in the future and has more than enough time on his side.
His loan spell has got off to a flying start as well, with the 19-year-old getting a goal and an assist on his Canaries debut as Norwich beat Cardiff 2-0 at home.
After the game, Norwich boss David Wagner praised Marquinhos as he explained: "You can't ask for more in your first game than a first start, first goal, first assist, even if we know, and he knows as well, we have a lot of work to do with him. I'm very pleased for him.
He's a very calm guy, and a very smart guy as well. He understands football and he understood as well what happened so far. We should not forget he is very young, just 19, and when he came here he got injured and it took a little bit of time.
"Now we all together can look forward to working with him.
