Sporting CP defender Jeremiah St. Juste has named Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli as the two best wingers in Europe.
The Gunners, who currently lead the Premier League by five points, travelled to Lisbon on Wednesday night ahead of this evening's Europa League round of 16 clash against Sporting. Ahead of the game, centre-back St. Juste was asked if Saka and Martinelli are currently the two best wingers in Europe, to which he replied by saying: "Yeah, I think so.
"They have a lot of quality and they prove that weekly at the highest level so it’s going to be an exciting challenge." Saka has netted 11 goals and provided a further nine assists in the league this term whilst Martinelli has also scored 11 times, pitching in with two assists as well.
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The Brazilian international recently signed a new long-term contract extension with the north Londoners and during Wednesday's pre-match press conference, he urged his fellow 21-year-old to do the same. Speaking about the Hale End academy graduate potentially signing a new deal in N5, Martinelli said: "I will be happy because he is a very, very good player, one of the best young players in the world.
"He is at his house, you know," he told football.london. "Arsenal is his home and for sure he is happy. And we will be happy as well if he stays and signs a new deal."
When asked if he had encouraged Saka to stay, Martinelli added: "Yeah, we always have some jokes - me, him and [William] Saliba. But it’s up to him. But he will stay for sure. He loves the club"
Saka has a little over 15 months remaining on his current contract in north London but the player has told the club that he wants to stay as the Gunners close in on securing their star player to a new contract, football.london understands. The 21-year-old is set to commit to a long-term deal that will last until 2028.
This new deal will see him be made one of Arsenal's highest paid players earning in the region of £200,000-per-week.
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