Gabriel Martinelli has been given a new squad number at Arsenal in the clearest sign yet the Brazil international is set to agree a new contract.
Martinelli has quickly established himself as a firm fans' favourite in the red half of North London, and has emerged as one of the brightest talents in Mikel Arteta's young side. The promising forward has registered five goals and six assists in all competitions this season.
Martinelli's current deal at the Emirates Stadium runs until the summer of 2024, with the club holding an option to extend this by a further year. However, recent reports suggest the Gunners are keen to agree a new long-term contract with the 20-year-old.
Martinelli is one of a host of exciting young attackers to impress under Arteta this season, along with Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Emile Smith-Rowe. However, Arsenal are currently facing an attacking rebuild in the summer with both Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah set to depart as free agents.
Reports over a contract extension for Martinelli have gone quiet in recent weeks, but Arsenal may have just dropped a major hint with the release of their new home shirt. The club revealed a squad number change for Martinelli next season which suggests he could be set for a more prominent role. The young Brazilian has worn the number 35 shirt since signing for the club, but will now be Arsenal's new number 11.
In response to the news, one fan posted: "Gabi The Beast. Loving him in the new kit. Hope he scores double the amount of that jersey number next season." Another supporter replied: "Let's hope he is signing a contract extension as well."
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Martinelli has already been with Arsenal for three years, but the 20-year-old has already proclaimed he would love to spend his entire career wiith the club. The young forward insists the Gunners are a 'giant team' that have to return to the Champions League and compete for trophies, although Arteta's side look set to miss out on a top-four finish following successive defeats to Newcastle United and Tottenham.
Speaking on his future in March, Martinelli told ESPN Brazil : "We have a young group, we have a lot of time ahead of us, players with a lot of quality, I think we will achieve great things. Our focus is the Champions League. Fighting for that top four.
"A club like Arsenal has to be in the Champions League. It’s our total focus. We always want more. Of course, Arsenal are a giant team. If I can, I’ll stay here my whole life. I want to conquer things, as I said, I want to stay here and win titles, with these wonderful fans, my team-mates."
