Mikel Arteta has revealed that Marquinhos will stay at Arsenal beyond the summer transfer window, rather than be sent out on loan.
The Brazilian became the Gunners' first summer signing when he arrived in a £3million deal from Sao Paulo. It had been expected that the 21-year-old would be sent out on loan to gain further senior experience with a European club.
But following his impressive performances in pre-season and for Arsenal's under-21s side, he is now set to stay with the Gunners until at least January. Marquinhos has scored three goals in his two games so far in Premier League 2.
That has helped the Gunners to win both of their opening games in the youth development competition. And his performances have done enough to see Arteta make a U-turn on his plans and keep him in North London, at least for the short term.
"Marquinhos has been playing with the under-21s, and we didn’t believe that it was necessary for him to play again. I’m very happy with him. He’s adapted very well and he’s a really likeable figure in the dressing room and around Colney," he said.
"His language is not great yet but I think his physicality has been pretty exceptional, for someone who has come from Brazil and has to find a different way to train and play, but he’s done it. I think he’s got the qualities for how we want to play.
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"We will keep him here for another few months and makes sure that he establishes himself at the club and in the team, and afterwards we’ll see what the best movement for his career. For every player, there is the option to play there.
"If he trains and convinces us that he is at the level to do that, then he will have that opportunity. I think the first three or four weeks of the competition are tricky because we are only playing once a week as there is no Europe or no cups, and we’ll have the manage the frustration of players who aren’t in the squad. But it is a long season and everyone will have their opportunities."
That would appear to hint that the Brazilian could be handed game time in the cup competitions that Arsenal will be involved in this term. Their first Carabao Cup game does not come until November, while the Europa League will get underway in September.
Marquinhos was the first of five signings for Arsenal this summer, with more business expected in the final days of the window. However, Arteta insisted that he would only bring in a player if they matched his requirements.
"We are still in the same position. Obviously, the market gives you a lot of information and something that maybe you expect that you could get, you are not getting and the same when it’s ins and outs," the Spaniard added.
"But we are focused on the players that we have right now and getting the best out of them. It has to be the right person, and it has to be the right player. We want to only bring top quality through that door, otherwise it’s not worth it. I will be totally happy and focused on getting the best out of those players."
