Gabriel Martinelli says Arsenal teammate is ‘one of the best in the world’ | Football

Saka put what had developed into a potential banana skin to bed with Arsenal’s third goal in a 3-1 win against Southampton at the Emirates Stadium.

The England winger also provided the assists for Kai Havertz and Martinelli after winless Southampton took a shock lead after half-time through Cameron Archer.

Saka already has three goals and seven assists this season and Martinelli is in no doubt that he is now ‘one of the best’ in the world.

Seven assists in the Premier League puts Saka three above any other player, while he also surpassed Robert Pires’ tally of 41 assists for the Gunners in the Southampton win.

‘We conceded the goal and then it was game on. I thought the team reacted with a lot of authority and I am happy the team can react like this – but not happy after the chances we had that we had to go through that.

‘The substitutes changed the energy and also the feel in the crowd. We won in the end and I think we deserved it.

‘The way we started was phenomenal but we didn’t get our reward. We had a difficult context at 1-0 but we did it.’

Arteta singled out Havertz for praise after he netted his fourth goal in seven Premier League games.

‘He’s really hungry, such an intelligent player, he is so focused to achieve what he wants and was exceptional again,’ Arteta added.

‘We lost so many players last international break, [it is a] very difficult schedule but this team finds a way. [It is a] good platform to continue the season.’

Following the international break Arsenal visit Bournemouth, who have largely impressed this season but suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Leicester City on Saturday.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.