Boost for Arsenal as star confirms desire to stay

Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League table on Sunday after beating rivals Liverpool 3-2 in a thrilling encounter at The Emirates. 

Mikel Arteta’s side went ahead inside a minute through Gabriel Martinelli, before Darwin Nunez pulled the visitors level.

Martinelli then turned provider, teeing up Bukayo Saka to restore The Gunners’ lead on the stroke of half-time.

In the second half, Roberto Firmino pegged Arsenal back once again, before Gabriel Jesus won a penalty that was duly converted by Saka to put the hosts ahead for a third time, and that is how it ended.

Now, there is more good news for Arteta as Martinelli has confirmed his desire to stay put at the club.

As reported by The Athletic, the Brazilian is happy at the club and has revealed that he is in talks to extend his stay in the capital.

‘Of course, I want to stay’, he said in the wake of The Gunners’ victory.

Martinelli has played a crucial role in the success of Arteta’s side so far this term

“We are talking. Let’s see what is going to happen. But I want to stay, of course.”

Martinelli, 21, has been in sensational form so far this season, scoring four goals and providing two assists in nine Premier League matches.

Along with the likes of Saka, Jesus and Martin Odegaard, he has helped propel Arsenal to the Premier League’s summit, and the club are now believed to be keen on rewarding him with a new deal.

The Brazil international joined Arsenal from Ituano in 2019 and has since made 95 appearances for the club, scoring 22 goals and registering 22 assists.

His current deal is due to expire in the summer of 2024, and Arsenal will be keen to tie him down to a longer term deal in an effort to prevent the player from attracting interest from elsewhere.

It has also been suggested of late that Arsenal are hoping to extend the contracts of both William Saliba and Bukayo Saka.