Mikel Arteta hailed Gabriel Martinelli’s “outstanding performance” after the Brazilian scored and created another in Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Liverpool on Sunday.
Martinelli set the Gunners on their way after just 58 seconds with a cool finish, before teeing up Bukayo Saka after Darwin Nunez had levelled for the Reds.
Roberto Firmino equalised again for Jurgen Klopp’s side, but Saka scored from the spot 14 minutes from full-time to seal an eighth win in nine Premier League games for a resurgent Arsenal.
Martinelli has now been directly involved in 10 goals in his last 14 appearances in the Premier League (five goals, five assists), and Arteta was full of praise for the 21-year-old.
“He’s a great player,” the Spaniard said in a press conference. “I think today he had an outstanding performance against a top defender and a top team and he made a difference in the game as well as the other players.
“That’s the next level, to step up in these games and make things happen to win it.”
Asked if Arsenal will try to tie Martinelli down to a long-term contract, Arteta responded: “We don’t get directed by an individual performance. Gabby doesn’t have to show me whether he plays well or not well.
“What is clear is his hunger, his determination and his love for this game. You don’t know where he’s going to reach because he’s always asking and willing for more.”
Arsenal have won at least eight of their first nine league matches in a top-flight campaign for only the fourth time, after 2007-08, 2004-05 and 1947-48.
This latest triumph lifted them back to the Premier League summit after Manchester City had usurped them on Saturday, with Arteta’s side now holding a one-point lead.
It sparked jubilant scenes at the Emirates Stadium, and Arteta said the support from the stands has been crucial to his side’s success this season.
“Just thank you so much to the boys and our supporters for experiencing an afternoon like this,” he added. “It’s what our profession is about to live days like this and I really enjoyed it. Especially the way we won.
“I’ve never seen it like this [the atmosphere]. You cannot imagine how much it helps the players and how much it gives them.
“One of the nicest things we’ve done since we are together here is to unite everybody and make them feel like when you go are you going to experience something together.”
Arsenal are next in action on Thursday when they face Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League, before they visit Leeds United in the Premier League on Sunday.
