Ferdinand confident Arsenal youngster can become 'next Suarez' under Arteta 'if he stays fit'
Rio Ferdinand is convinced Arsenal youngster Gabriel Martinelli can become the 'next Luis Suarez' as long as he 'stays fit'.
The Gunners infamously tried to sign Suarez from Liverpool in 2013 when they brazenly offered £40,000,001 for the prolific striker.
Unsurprisingly, that wasn't enough to sign the Uruguay international, who ended up joining FC Barcelona in 2014 for around £65million.
Ranking £205.8m Premier League signings based on our enthusiasm for their debut
Five years later, Martinelli completed his transfer to Arsenal from Brazilian side Ituano.
The 21-year-old's progress has been hampered by injuries over the past two seasons.
The striker shone for the Gunners last season, as he was involved in twelve Premier League goals.
Speaking ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, club legend Paul Merson called on Martinelli to be more consistent:
"Gabriel Martinelli needs to take a big step forward this season because his potential is huge," Merson wrote for The Daily Star.
"For me he gets great reviews but that's never for the whole game. He plays in flashes. I remember seeing him against Liverpool last season in the cup and for 15 minutes he gave Trent Alexander-Arnold the absolute tour de force.
"But I don't think he really touched the ball after that. He has moments in games and you have to have more than moments if you want to get to the top. He has to keep wanting and demanding the ball all the time. He has so much talent. He needs to use it more consistently.
"You can't keep going in and out of a football game. It's better than that. Don't be amazing for ten minutes and then disappear."
Martinelli took the lead at the start of the season. He scored in wins over Crystal Palace and Leicester City as he helped Arsenal get the new campaign off to a perfect start.
The Brazil international will be keen to stay fit in order to help the Gunners finish in the top four.
Ferdinand thinks Martinelli is capable of being the 'next Suarez-type player' in the Premier League:
“Martinelli, if he stays in shape, this guy, I already told you before what Arteta told me, he could be the next Suarez type player,” Ferdinand said on his channel YouTube Vibe with Five.
"Even Brendan Rodgers, I was interested in Brendan Rodgers' comments, he said Arsenal have gone up a level with their additions."
Rio Ferdinand is convinced Arsenal youngster Gabriel Martinelli can become the 'next Luis Suarez' as long as he 'stays fit'.
The Gunners infamously tried to sign Suarez from Liverpool in 2013 when they brazenly offered £40,000,001 for the prolific striker.
Unsurprisingly, that wasn't enough to sign the Uruguay international, who ended up joining FC Barcelona in 2014 for around £65million.
Ranking £205.8m Premier League signings based on our enthusiasm for their debut
Five years later, Martinelli completed his transfer to Arsenal from Brazilian side Ituano.
The 21-year-old's progress has been hampered by injuries over the past two seasons.
The striker shone for the Gunners last season, as he was involved in twelve Premier League goals.
Speaking ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, club legend Paul Merson called on Martinelli to be more consistent:
"Gabriel Martinelli needs to take a big step forward this season because his potential is huge," Merson wrote for The Daily Star.
"For me he gets great reviews but that's never for the whole game. He plays in flashes. I remember seeing him against Liverpool last season in the cup and for 15 minutes he gave Trent Alexander-Arnold the absolute tour de force.
"But I don't think he really touched the ball after that. He has moments in games and you have to have more than moments if you want to get to the top. He has to keep wanting and demanding the ball all the time. He has so much talent. He needs to use it more consistently.
"You can't keep going in and out of a football game. It's better than that. Don't be amazing for ten minutes and then disappear."
Martinelli took the lead at the start of the season. He scored in wins over Crystal Palace and Leicester City as he helped Arsenal get the new campaign off to a perfect start.
The Brazil international will be keen to stay fit in order to help the Gunners finish in the top four.
Ferdinand thinks Martinelli is capable of being the 'next Suarez-type player' in the Premier League:
“Martinelli, if he stays in shape, this guy, I already told you before what Arteta told me, he could be the next Suarez type player,” Ferdinand said on his channel YouTube Vibe with Five.
"Even Brendan Rodgers, I was interested in Brendan Rodgers' comments, he said Arsenal have gone up a level with their additions."
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