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The 19-year-old recently returned to the Gunners Under-21s after a nine-month layoff and has been training with the first team.
Arsenal are almost ready to welcome Gabriel Martinelli to the first team fold, according to Gunners boss Mikel Arteta.
The 19-year-old forward has not appeared since March after sustaining a serious knee injury, but recently returned to the club’s under-21 squad.
Five points above the relegation zone to a third of the Premier League season, Arsenal are desperate for inspiration and Arteta says Martinelli has provided a new injection of energy and enthusiasm in training.
“Gabriel Martinelli is very close to being available and fit to be part of us as well, which is great news,” Arteta said at a press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Everton.
“Gabi is pure enthusiasm, energy, faith, charisma and goals. And this is him.
“He’s on the training ground and in our training sessions and the energy is different because he’s going 100 miles per hour.
“He has this passion in the way he plays and he is a threat. He is a player we miss because he brings something special to the team.
“He’s contagious with his attitude and I think it’ll be a huge boost when we get it.”
Martinelli made his mark in the 2019-20 season with six Premier League and Europa League goals, including a particularly memorable individual effort against Chelsea.
When Gabriel Martinelli ran across the field to score for Arsenal against Chelsea 🏃♂️💨 pic.twitter.com/tJQYcetDv4
– Goal (@goal) April 4, 2020
Over the summer, he signed a new long-term contract at the Emirates Stadium which will reportedly keep him at the club until 2024.
“I want to win the Champions League and many national titles to make Arsenal fans very happy,” he said. Four four two in April.
“They deserve the best, not just the fans, but the entire club staff. I would like to give back to the club after all they have done for me so far and as a result become a Gunners legend.
Arsenal will need all the help they can get to end a rollercoaster year with a difficult streak of matches.
Following the Premier League match with Everton, they will meet Manchester City in the Carabao Cup before a home game with Chelsea and a trip to Brighton.
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