Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka believes that Gabriel Martinelli could end up becoming "one of the best" if his career continues on a similar path.
The 21-year-old immediately broke into the first team under Unai Emery following his arrival from Ituano in the summer of 2019 and is now Mikel Arteta's first-choice left-winger.
Martinelli edged Emile Smith Rowe out of the team while the England international was plagued by fitness problems, and he has gone from strength to strength in recent months.
The Brazil international has three goals and one assist to boast from eight Premier League matches this season and has caused opponents all sorts of problems with his pace and directness out wide.
Martinelli once again caught the eye with an energetic display in Saturday's 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby, and Xhaka believes that the sky is the limit for the youngster.
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"Gabriel Martinelli has a lot to be one of the best. He goes 100mph. He has to push himself with how far he can go. He has the team and everything around the help him," Xhaka told reporters after Saturday's game.
Martinelli is under contract at the Emirates Stadium until the summer of 2024 with the option of a further year, but Arsenal are thought to be keen to agree new terms with the attacker.
Martinelli can expect a bumper pay rise with any new deal given his importance to the squad, and Chelsea are thought to be monitoring his progress in North London.
However, the Gunners are determined to ward off interest from their capital counterparts, with Martinelli amassing 21 goals and 14 assists from his first 93 games for Arsenal across all competitions.
Having recovered from a serious knee injury in 2020, which sidelined him for months after surgery, Arteta has been left overjoyed with the Brazilian's "phenomenal" impact.
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"When he wasn't playing, he was all the time in my office and every time showing me on the pitch how wrong I was," Arteta told reporters in September.
"And, (from) the moment that we agreed that he was ready to do it, the way he has improved, the way he is helping the team and still the room for improvement he has is phenomenal.
"He's just a sad boy (when he's not playing). He loves what he does. He's so eager to do whatever it takes for him to play that he's all the time there, pushing you and giving you the right reasons to give him more minutes. It's just a joy to watch the freedom and personality that he plays with."
Arsenal's 3-1 win over Tottenham saw Arteta's men remain at the top of the Premier League table after eight matches - one point clear of reigning champions Manchester City.
The Gunners will now prepare for Europa League action against Bodo/Glimt on Thursday night before welcoming Liverpool to the Emirates on Sunday in the Premier League.
Ben Knapton
