Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal may have their answer to former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez in the form of Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazilian winger has started the current campaign in fine form, scoring in both of the Gunners' opening two games. Last season, the 21-year-old scored six goals and registered seven assists and looks to be improving year-on-year as his potential only grows bigger.
Much of his career with Mikel Arteta's side to date has been hampered by injury setbacks, though the youngster will be hoping to remain injury-free as he looks to continue shining in a squad made up of young talents.
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Impressed by what he has seen from the jet-heeled attacker, Ferdinand is of the view that Martinelli has traits of Suarez and could go on to become a hugely influential player at the top level. Speaking on V ibe with Five, the ex-Manchester United defender said: "Martinelli, if he stays fit, this guy, I’ve told you this before what Arteta told me, he could be the next Suarez-type player.
"Even Brendan Rodgers, I was interested in Brenden Rodgers’ comments, he said that Arsenal have gone up a level with their additions, so it looks positive with you guys.”
Ferdinand is not the only individual to have sung Martinelli's praises, with Jurgen Klopp also a huge admirer of the samba star. Singling out the youngster after Liverpool's 5-5 Carabao Cup draw with Arsenal back in 2019, the German said: "Martinelli’s pretty much the same age [as Liverpool defender Sepp Van De Berg] but he’s a talent of the century, he’s an incredible striker, so it’s really difficult. It was not in this game only. I watch a lot of football, so I saw the Europa League games of Arsenal."
Repeating his praise for Martinelli after the Reds' 2-0 win over the Gunners in March, Klopp said: "Apart from the diagonal balls to Martinelli which Trent defended incredibly, the boy Martinelli is such a talented boy, really tricky and if anybody says Trent can't defend they can come to me and I will knock them down because I cannot hear that anymore, I don't know what the boy has to do!"
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