Sitting top of the league after eight matches, the atmosphere inside the Arsenal dressing room must be one of buoyancy and optimism at the moment. The Gunners players have shown a great understanding on the pitch in the opening games of the new Premier League season - and that seems to stem from their off-pitch relationships.
There is a real mix in the Arsenal dressing room of experienced pros and younger players. Granit Xhaka has been highly praised by his team-mates this season for the leadership he has shown, as was highlighted when he led a half-time team talk against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
However, despite seemingly having the right mix of young players and seasoned leaders, Gabriel Martinelli believes Arsenal are missing a character who was a favourite of Unai Emery's. David Luiz's time at the Emirates Stadium wasn't all plain-sailing, but Martinelli says the defender was always giving him tips and advice in training.
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While he received criticism from pundits and supporters for his performances, Luiz was a valued member of the dressing room. The Brazilian made 73 appearances in his two-year spell at the Gunners.
"He is a sensational man, a man who deserves everything he achieved and a person everybody here misses," Martinelli told The Times.
"He was quite important to me when I arrived, giving me advice on my moves. At that moment, I was playing more of a striker role, so I was always close to him in training sessions and he would give me guidance."
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