3 massive takeaways from Gabriel Martinelli’s contract extension

Arsenal have confirmed the contract extension of Gabriel Martinelli, one of three new deals the club will attempt to wrap up in 2023. The new terms of the contract not only secure an increase in pay for the deserving Brazilian but also ensures the services of the forward until as far as 2028.

Martinelli first burst onto the mainstream after scoring a wonderful solo goal against Chelsea at just 18 years old. Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury that put him out of action for around six months which halted his rise to stardom. However, since returning to Mikel Arteta’s starting XI, Martinelli has been nothing short of brilliant.

The lightning-quick winger has played a key role in the club’s stellar 2022/23 season, scoring seven times and registering two assists in 19 Premier League appearances. He’s established himself as one of Europe’s best in his position, and Arsenal will be thrilled to have secured his services for the long haul.

3 massive takeaways from Gabriel Martinelli’s contract extension

There are three main takeaways that fans can take from Martinelli’s contract extension.

1. Martinelli is a cornerstone of the project

It is clear that Arteta, the club and a majority of the fanbase see Martinelli as a core piece for the future of Arsenal. The winger was given the number 11 shirt ahead of the current campaign but has taken the added responsibility in stride. Before former Brighton forward Leandro Trossard signed for the club, Martinelli was destined to start in every competition, and it appeared that fatigue was slowly chipping away at his performance level.

Now with a solid backup in his position, fans hope to see Martinelli excel once more. Gooners will be ecstatic that the club has agreed on a new deal with the player as Arteta’s process does seem to be coming to fruition.

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2. The project remains on course

The second takeaway is about the aforementioned process. The signing of Martinelli lets Gooners all around the world know that the plan is still intact and remains the same. The news of our number 11 putting pen to paper comes a few days after the controversial signing of former Chelsea captain Jorginho. Arsenal’s identity lies within its youth, passion, hunger, driver, fervour, resilience and ruthlessness. While the Italian international brings experience, some fans are not sure if he fits the profile of the club at this point.

Extending Martinelli’s stay with the club should only reassure fans that Arteta is not veering off course. In addition, it gives more context to the Jorginho signing itself, he is coming to be a backup to aid in the title push. Nothing less, nothing more.

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3. The players have bought in

Finally, it should tell Arsenal fans that players love the club.

Of course, the Brazilian international’s wages would have increased, and monetary gain is a part of any player’s incentives to sign a contract, but this deal says something more. Part of Arteta’s rebuild focused on building unity, togetherness and collective effort in the locker room, on the training ground and most importantly on the pitch. Signing players who want to genuinely be at the club, while it should be a given, is not something that Arsenal have stuck to in recent years.

The likes of Willian come to mind.

Ensuring that the future of Arsenal involves individuals who care about the fans, winning and the overall success of north London’s best club beginning with the stewards through to the players and the executives is the only way to return the mighty Arsenal to glory.