Gabriel Martinelli insists he is ready to commit his long-term future to Arsenal and sign a new contract.
The Brazil international has been in scintillating form this season and took his goal tally to five with a superb header in Sunday’s 5-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest.
Martinelli joined the Gunners as a total unknown from Ituano in the summer of 2019 having been spotted by Arsenal’s renowned former talent spotter Francis Cagigao.
The 21-year-old made an instant impact during his first season with the club but a serious knee injury, the uncertainty caused by the Covid pandemic and a change of management, with Mikel Arteta replacing Unai Emery, stunted this progress.
After an encouraging and crucially injury-free pre-season, however, Martinelli has cemented his place in a dynamic new-look side which has risen to the top of the Premier League with 10 wins from 12 games so far.
Martinelli’s performances have attracted admiring glances from elsewhere and with his contract winding down his future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks.
The versatile forward insists, however, that he is ready to put pen to paper and has no intention of leaving the club that gave him his big break as a teenager.
He said: ‘When I knew that Arsenal wanted to buy me… it was one of the happiest days of my life.
‘I’m very happy at Arsenal. I said it many times. This is my club. I love to be here, I love the city, the club, everything about Arsenal. I want to stay. I’m very happy, They just need a pen.
‘When I knew that Arsenal wanted to buy me… it was one of the happiest days of my life.
‘I really don’t care. I want to stay. I want to score in the next game and do well and help my team win.’
Arsenal require a win against FC Zurich this evening, meanwhile, to guarantee they go through to the knockout stages of the Europa League as group winners.
Whether Martinelli features from the start remains to be seen with the Gunners facing a quick turnaround and a crucial London derby against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday at midday.
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