Bernd Leno on why he is certain that Arsenal teammate Gabriel Martinelli will ‘become a world-class player’

Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno has moved to lavish praise on Gunners teammate Gabriel Martinelli, opening up on the traits which he feels are set to see the youngster reach the very peak of world football.

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18-year-old attacker Martinelli made the move to the Emirates last summer, from his home country of Brazil.

With Arsenal having also secured the high-profile additions of the likes of Dani Ceballos, Kieran Tierney and Nicolas Pepe, though, Martinelli’s arrival slipped somewhat under the radar.

The campaign to this point, however, has arguably seen the South American prodigy stand out as the most consistent of the Gunners’ latest batch of signings.

Despite his tender years, Martinelli already looks a genuine star in the making.

The youngster possesses all of the desirable traits of a modern attacker, combining touch, stature, poise, pace, the ability to beat opposing defenders and, perhaps most-significantly of all, a real eye for goal.

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 03: Gabriel Martinelli celebrates scoing the 1st Arsenal goal during the UEFA Europa League group F match between Arsenal FC and Standard Liege at Emirates Stadium on October 03, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

This has allowed Martinelli to directly contribute to a remarkable 10 goals across 9 appearances between the League Cup and Europa League to this point in the season.

In addition, crucially, he began to carry his goalscoring exploits onto the Premier League stage earlier this year, with crucial strikes versus both Sheffield United and Chelsea.

‘Will be an unbelievable player’

As such, with the Brazilian not even set to turn 19 until next month, it has come as little surprise to see many tip Martinelli for the very top of the game.

And, as outlined above, the latest individual to have done so this weekend is Arsenal teammate Bernd Leno.

Speaking in an interview with SoccerAM, shot-stopper Leno was drawn on Martinelli’s talents, as well as the impact made by the teen in north London thus far.

And, though the German was quick to highlight Martinelli’s undoubted ‘quality’, the trait which he feels will one day see his fellow Gunners star develop into a ‘world-class’ performer is in fact his exceptional mentality:

‘He can become a world-class player. World-class 100 per cent because he has talent, he has quality but I think his biggest strength is his mentality.’

‘He is working unbelievably.’

Leno continued:

‘I remember in our bad time when we struggled a lot, he was working so hard, he was one of the leaders and at 18 years-old he came from nowhere, nobody knew him before and to play like this, to behave like this is very good to see.’

‘I think if he keeps going like this he will be an unbelievable player.’

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