Arsenal

Oleksandr Zinchenko: "Diamond" Gabriel Martinelli has an unbelievable future

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 15 August 2022

Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko hails Gabriel Martinelli as a "diamond" and claims that the 21-year-old is set for an "unbelievable future".

Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko has claimed that teammate Gabriel Martinelli has an "unbelievable future" ahead of him.

The Brazil international immediately broke into the first team under Unai Emery after arriving from Ituano in 2019 and has seemingly nailed down the left-wing spot under Mikel Arteta.

Martinelli scored the first Premier League goal of the 2022-23 season away at Crystal Palace before scoring Arsenal's fourth in their 4-2 success over Leicester City at the weekend.

The 21-year-old has now netted in three consecutive Premier League games after scoring against Everton on the final day of last season, taking his tally for the Gunners to 20 goals and 13 assists in 86 appearances.

Zinchenko sang the praises of Martinelli after the full-time whistle on Saturday, claiming that his teammate is destined for big things given what he has already achieved at 21.

Oleksandr Zinchenko in action for Arsenal on August 13, 2022 © Reuters

"He is incredible, he is a real diamond. I would say exactly the same things about him that I say about Gabriel Jesus," Zinchenko told the Evening Standard.

"The way these two guys are working — how everyone is working really — every single day is unbelievable. He (Martinelli) has got amazing quality and he's still young. I am pretty sure he has an unbelievable future."

Martinelli's form has kept Emile Smith Rowe out of the starting lineup so far in the 2022-23 season, and Zinchenko has also lavished praise on the Brazilian's compatriot Jesus.

Zinchenko and Jesus are familiar with one another from their trophy-laden stint at Manchester City, and the latter had a direct hand in every goal during the 4-2 win over Leicester.

The 25-year-old scored a brace before setting up Martinelli and Granit Xhaka in the second half, and Zinchenko has no doubts about Jesus's "world-class" ability.

Gabriel Jesus celebrates scoring for Arsenal on August 13, 2022 © Reuters

"I never had any doubts about him, because he's a world-class player in terms of his numbers," Zinchenko added. "You can see it as well in how he works along with his attitude every day in training.

"He's an example. He's an incredible player, always hungry for goals. He doesn't stop at all and I'm so happy for him."

Jesus became the first-ever Arsenal player to score twice on his Premier League home debut at the weekend, as well as joining Theo Walcott as one of two Gunners players to have claimed two goals and two assists in the same Premier League match.

The Brazil international admitted at the final whistle that he was upset not to score a hat-trick and take home the match ball, and he will aim to continue his hot streak when the Gunners travel to Bournemouth next Saturday evening.