Gabriel Martinelli has been Arsenal’s best player in recent weeks which Jurgen Klopp agreed with, but he must not take it any further than that.
Liverpool eased past the Gunners in the semi-final second leg of the Carabao Cup on Thursday evening, but Martinelli was the stand-out player for Arsenal.
His performance was so impactful that Klopp had singled out his display in the post-match press conference despite not being asked about the 20-year-old.
“Martinelli, by the way, everyone should remember that name. he’s an outstanding player,” the Liverpool boss said.
Worryingly for Arsenal fans, this is not the first time Klopp has singled out the Brazilian for the quality he possesses.
During the 2019/20 season against Liverpool, again in the Carabao Cup, Martinelli played as a striker and he scored a brace in an end-to-end 5-5 clash.
After full-time, Klopp described the Brazilian as being an “Incredible striker.”
Martinelli earned his place back in Arteta’s team after an impressive substitute cameo against Newcastle, where he scored a magnificent volley after a chipped-through ball from Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Since the impressive show against the magpies, the youngster has started in every game and has been Arsenal’s most threatening attacker.
His contagious energy has improved the Gunners’ threat in the final third which had been lacking any intent before the Brazilian was reintroduced into the side.
He is crucial for Arsenal and could have an important role to play in the future, whether that is as a striker or on the wing.
It is no surprise that Klopp is heaping on the praise for Martinelli because he shows similar attributes to his star players in Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.
They are both players equipped with bundles of energy and have the pace to match, which is why Arsenal must issue a hands-off warning. The Brazilian would certainly be a good replacement for Salah, who is currently having contract issues with the Reds.
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