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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Jonathan Gorrie

Gabriel Martinelli has already vowed to become an Arsenal ‘legend’ as contract talks continue

Gabriel Martinelli is in talks over a new contract

(Picture: Getty Images)

Gabriel Martinelli has already vowed to become an Arsenal “legend” as talks continue over a new contract.

The Brazilian appears to have gone up another level this season and is helping lead Mikel Arteta’s early title challenge, scoring four goals in his opening nine Premier League games.

Martinelli’s current deal runs until 2024 and there is reportedly little panic behind the scenes about rushing through an extension, though Arsenal are said to understand the need to reward the 21-year-old for his recent performances.

The club are in talks with Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba over new deals and the Brazil international himself has openly declarced his desire to stay.

After Sunday’s 3-2 win over Liverpool, Martinelli said: “We are talking. Let’s see what is going to happen, but I want to stay, of course.”

Certainly, it seems as if the forward is eager to repay the trust Arsenal have shown him ever since his move from Ituano in 2019.

In 2020, he told FourFourTwo: “I want to win the Champions League and lots of domestic titles to make Arsenal’s fans very happy.

“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."

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