Gabriel Martinelli wants to sign a new contract with Arsenal and is dreaming about winning the Premier League title this season.
Martinelli was man of the match as Arsenal beat Liverpool 3-2 at Emirates Stadium yesterday to move back to the top of the table. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hailed another “outstanding” display from the Brazilian, who shone on the left of the Arsenal attack and is in line for a lucrative new deal.
Martinelli is in the final two years of his current contract, although the deal includes an option to extend that for a further two years to 2026.
Talks are underway over fresh terms and the 21-year-old has given Arsenal a major boost by confirming he is ready to commit his long-term future to the club.
“Of course, I want to stay,” said Martinelli, who believes he is in the form of his life. “We are talking. Let’s see what is going to happen, but I want to stay, of course.
“I think it’s my best season here at Arsenal. I’m so happy for this moment. I think Arsenal is a big club and we have a lot of good players. I think you guys can see from the outside our hunger and our mentality. We want to win every single game and I think everyone can see that.
“I’m so happy [to beat Liverpool], a great game and a great win. I think we deserved the three points. It was amazing [in the dressing room at full-time]. Everyone was hugging each other. Everyone knew that it was going to be a tough game and, as I said, I think we deserved that [win].”
Arsenal’s win over Liverpool was only their second against them in the Premier League since Jurgen Klopp was appointed in 2015. It felt like a statement result for the Gunners, who went ahead through Martinelli after 58 seconds and secured victory with a Bukayo Saka brace — one from the penalty spot — after Liverpool had twice levelled.
The win moved Arsenal a point above Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, and Martinelli is dreaming about going all the way this season.
“Of course we dream about it,” he said. “But we leave that [talking about it] to the fans. We only think about the next game and trying to win.”
Victory over Liverpool was spearheaded by their attacking trio of Gabriel Jesus, Martinelli and Saka. Martinelli and Saka got the goals, but Jesus led the line exceptionally well and won the decisive penalty after Thiago clipped him in the box, following a cross from Granit Xhaka.
Martinelli is revelling playing alongside Jesus and Saka, and believes there is still much more to come from them. “It’s amazing to play alongside them and I am so happy to have the opportunity to play with them,” he said.
“We have a lot of time to improve, and I think we have great quality, and I think we can do more. [Jesus] is a great guy, not just on the pitch but off the pitch as well. He is always trying to help me and all the players. He is 25 but he has a lot of experience and everyone loves him.
“[Arteta] said to me, to Jesus, to Bukayo, to be the same, to be us. I think we did it and we deserved the win.”
Arsenal are next in action on Thursday, when they travel to Norwegian club Bodo/Glimt, who are based north of the Arctic Circle. Arteta is expected to heavily rotate his side for the clash, with the Gunners in action on Sunday, when they face Leeds at Elland Road.
The FA, meanwhile, are investigating a furious exchange of words between the two sets of players in the second half at Emirates Stadium yesterday. Arsenal defender Gabriel squared up to Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson, and Arteta and Klopp were both spoken to by referee Michael Oliver following the incident.
Other players then became involved in the flashpoint, including Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka. The FA said they were aware of an incident that took place during the game and have spoken to the match officials and the two clubs.
