Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal: Ranking young prospects by superstar likelihood

By Andrew Dowdeswell

PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND - MARCH 02: Eddie Nkethia of Arsenal is congratulated by team-mates after he scores a goal to make it 2-0 during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Portsmouth FC and Arsenal FC at Fratton Park on March 02, 2020 in Portsmouth, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND - MARCH 02: Eddie Nkethia of Arsenal is congratulated by team-mates after he scores a goal to make it 2-0 during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Portsmouth FC and Arsenal FC at Fratton Park on March 02, 2020 in Portsmouth, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Gabriel Martinelli
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 21: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on January 21, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

1. Gabriel Martinelli

Another 18-year-old who has taken the world by storm, Bukayo Saka might be the most talented young player in the entire Premier League if it wasn’t for Gabriel Martinelli, who just so happens to be his Arsenal teammate and thereby pips him in these rankings.

Martinelli is razor-sharp. He is the Gunners’ second-highest scorer on the season behind only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, has inspired David Luiz, Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta to hail him as one of the most talented players in world football, and seems set to surge his way into the Arsenal starting XI for many years to come.

Blessed with a natural knack for where chances will fall, he is calm in front of goal and a ruthless finisher. He allies this unreachable quality with excellent dribbling skills, a direct, purposeful approach with the ball at his feet, and a terrific work-ethic off the ball, both in regards to the offensive runs he makes to provide options for the passer and his pressing and tracking back.

dark. Next. Arsenal: One dream target for every Premier League club

Martinelli is one of the most gifted young footballers I — and many others — have ever seen. He is set for superstardom.

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