Former Arsenal captain Gilberto Silva has been full of praise for duo Gabriel Martinelli and Edu Gaspar, summing up how the club have managed to get things right both on and off the pitch. It comes as the club look to offer Martinelli a new deal, having impressed at the start of the season.
The 21-year-old has scored four and assisted twice in ten Premier League clashes so far this season, adding end product to his usual tricky skillset. With his deal expiring in 2024, with the club option of an extra two-years, the Gunners are looking to tie the forward down to a long-term deal.
When asked if his recent individual performances increase the chance of a new contract, Mikel Arteta -speaking after the 3-2 win over Liverpool - said: "We don’t get dragged out about a performance, Gabi doesn’t have to show me whether he plays well or not today. What he deserves is clear, his hunger, his determination, his love for this game and you don’t know where he is going to reach, he’s always asking and willing for more.”
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Interest from the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid may put further pressure on securing his future, though former captain Gilberto believes he will sign a new deal. He told the Metro: "I think for him now, he has got the support of the manager. He is playing in a very good team, he is at a fantastic club. I think Arsenal will not face a challenge [in keeping him].
"Of course it will not be easy especially when people start to talk about clubs wanting to take him at this stage, but I think Arsenal will be convinced they can keep him, I’m sure they will."
With Martinelli just one example of the recruitment improving at Arsenal, director Edu has also come in for plenty of praise amid reports claiming there's interest in him from other clubs. The former midfielder has had a huge influence in turning the squad around in recent years and Gilberto backed him to land another Brazilian in Palmeiras striker Endrick, who could join a growing core of players from the nation.
Gilberto added: "We know the importance in football of being well connected, to people, clubs, sporting directors, presidents of the club, this is how things happen. But there is big competition to get the best players, from the best leagues. For Palmeiras, they are going to receive a lot of calls from many clubs, the best clubs in the world to try and bring him to them.
"It is a tough time for the player, honestly. Sometimes they are loads of messages, loads of opportunities, and it can be very difficult to make decisions. It is important for the people around him to give him the right advice together with the family, to let them make the right decision.
"If at some point Arsenal did manage to bring the player, they will be getting a very good player"
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