Arsenal: Bukayo Saka hails ‘crazy’ Gunners teammate

Arsenal are no longer fielding their young players, they’re fielding their best players. This season, none have stood out quite like Bukayo Saka, and when he heaps praise on someone it’s worth taking note. Now, it’s Gabriel Martinelli.

Months of grueling rehabilitation following a seemingly innocuous training ground injury that evolved – as Mikel Arteta likes to say – into a knee injury requiring surgery, Gabriel Martinelli finally made his long-awaited comeback as substitute against Everton in mid-December.

His involvement has been bit-part since and the decision to bring on Willian over his fellow Brazilian in the defeat to Aston Villa suggested he’s either short of match sharpness or carrying another knock.

Nothing has emerged from the club confirming the latter, so being eased back into the fold appears the logical explanation. However, with a run of four fixtures that could extinguish all hopes of salvaging a dire season to come, and even more following that, he still has a huge part to play.

Bukayo Saka praises ‘crazy’ Arsenal teammate Gabriel Martinelli for incredible energy

Speaking to Premier League Productions, it’s clear what Bukayo Saka thinks of his fellow 19-year-old, lavishing him with praise for his outstanding work-rate and boundless energy.

"“Just watch him play and press, the way he goes he doesn’t stop,” he said.“He’s not only just fast, he can also run a long distance at that same speed and just get faster. You look at his Chelsea goal he didn’t slow down or get tired. It’s not just his pace it’s his engine as well. It’s crazy. It’s like he’s got a battery pack on his back.”"

With Leeds, Benfica, Manchester City and Benfica again up next, Martinelli is primed for crucial involvement as Arsenal aim to keep their Europa League ambitions on track and remain in the hunt for a European spot in the Premier League.

If and where Martinelli starts will rest on Arteta’s shoulders. Would Leeds suit? Their man-to-man marking and high-octane pressing opens the door for a pacey forward to both pin them back and exploit their offensive overindulgence. Liam Cooper and Pascal Struijk are there to be got at.

While not having had the impact expected since coming back from injury, the camaraderie between Saka and Martinelli remains strong. They are both integral parts of this club’s present and future – Martinelli’s time will come this term.