Jack Wilshere has praised Mikel Arteta for how he has managed Arsenal youngster, Gabriel Martinelli.

Wilshere is currently training with Arsenal as he searches for a new club.

During his stint back in north London, Wilshere has been able to observe Arsenal’s first-team and now, in an interview with Arsenal, has backed Gabriel Martinelli to be a top player, whilst also labelling Mikel Arteta’s handling of the South American as genius: “But the one who I really like and think he’s going to be top, is Martinelli.

“I think what the manager has done with him has been genius as well.

“When I first went there he was training, coming on, not playing much, but training really well and I was thinking, ‘He’s going to get a chance here’ and he eventually got his chance and he’s been brilliant.

“He was the Player of the Month and he’s been brilliant and he trains like that every day as well.”


Martinelli impressing with Arsenal

Martinelli had been on the fringes of Mikel Arteta’s set-up for some time, but he has now started in eight of Arsenal’s last nine league games, whilst also making a 26-minute sub appearance in the remaining game.

Across those nine outings, Martinelli has scored four and provided two assists, including a brace vs Leeds:


And with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang now having left the club, it appears as though Martinelli’s chances of nailing down the left-wing spot at Arsenal have increased even further.

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