As Gabriel MartinelliWeary, but happy after a win of 3-2, the team headed out of the dressing room. Liverpool, Arsenal board member Tim Lewis excitedly thrust a pen under the Brazilian’s nose in order for him to sign something.
Sorry to disappoint, Arsenal fans: it was not a new contract — not quite yet, anyway. Lewis wanted to sign a souvenir program for a young fan. Martinelli duly obliged but it surely won’t be too long until he is putting pen to paper on a contract that reflects his increased importance to the club.
When Martinelli’s representatives next sit down with technical director Edu, they may well cite this dazzling performance as one of the many reasons to renew the 21-year-old’s contract. Arsenal feel they are in a strong position regarding Martinelli’s future. The club has the option to extend Martinelli’s current deal, which was signed in July 2020.
However, there is an increasing recognition that his recent performances are worthy of praise. Mikel Arteta, his manager, was full of praises after the match. “He’s a great player,” said Arteta. “I think today, he had an outstanding performance against a top defender and a top team, and he made a difference in the game as well as the other players. That’s the next level: to step up in these games and make things happen to win it.”
In regards to whether this performance would act as a catalyst towards a new contract, Arteta said: “We don’t get directed by an individual performance.
