Former Arsenal defender Matthew Upson says Gabriel Martinelli has looked “hungry” to impress after losing his place in the team following the summer arrivals of Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke.
The Brazil international has only started two of the Gunners’ six Premier League games so far this season, but has scored in both Champions League appearances and impressed from the start in Wednesday’s win over Olympiacos.
“The one that jumps out at me is Martinelli,” Upson told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily podcast. “The reaction that they’ve had out of him after signing Eze and Madueke has been excellent.
“He looks like he’s hungry to prove himself in every single game. Three goals and an assist so far this season, more than any other Arsenal player.
“That for me has to be a reaction. You bring these players in and you expect great things from them, but actually you can end up getting more from the ones you already have if they react in the way that Martinelli has.
“Credit to him. He knows he has to fight and scrap for a place in the team at the moment because the competition’s really, really high and he has done that exceptionally well.
“Well done, Martinelli.”
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