Gabriel Martinelli has revealed he wants to stay at Arsenal as speculation begins to grow over his contract situation.
The Brazilian produced another Player of the Match performance as the Gunners ran out 3-2 winners over Liverpool on Sunday evening. Martinelli scored Arsenal's first of the game and provided the assist for their second as Mikel Arteta's side recorded their eighth win from nine Premier League games, leaving them top of the table.
It was a fine performance from the North Londoners and Martinelli encapsulated everything they did well with his pace and energy down the left wing. The 21-year-old caused Trent Alexander-Arnold plenty of problems and it wasn't much easier for Joe Gomez when he came on at half-time, following an injury to the former.
There has been plenty of talk about Martinelli's future as the youngster has just under two years left on his current, although the club have an option to extend his contract by a further year. Arsenal and Martinelli have already held talks about a new, long-term extension to reward his impressive form - and the player revealed he wants to stay at Emirates Stadium.
He said: "I think it’s my best season here at Arsenal. I’m so happy for this moment. Of course, I want to stay. We are talking. Let’s see what is going to happen. But I want to stay, of course."
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Liverpool and Chelsea are amongst the teams linked with the Brazil international, who has been in electric form since the middle of last season, when he replaced Emile Smith Rowe as the Gunners' first-choice left-winger. Arsenal paid just £6million to sign the forward from Ituano in 2019 but his value has rocketed in the past year, with Martinelli directly contributing to six goals in nine appearances in the Premier League this term.
Martinelli added: "We are talking about a contract so let’s see what happens. But of course I want to stay. I think this is my best season at Arsenal and I am so happy for this moment. Everyone can see our hunger and our mentality. We want to win every single game. I am so happy to be playing alongside players like Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka.
"You can see the understanding we have together but we have a lot of time to improve. We have great quality and I think we can do more. Gabby is a great guy, not just on the pitch but off it as well. He is always trying to help me. He is only 25 but he has a lot of experience and everyone loves him."
