Former Chelsea player tells Arsenal forward he ‘isn’t yet good enough’ for big move

Arsenal could find their lead at the top of the Premier League table cut to just a single point by the time they next play, as rivals Tottenham Hotspur can edge closer to The Gunners if they beat Manchester United on Wednesday evening. 

Mikel Arteta’s side have been in sensational form since the start of the campaign, winning nine of their ten league matches so far, and they currently lead both Spurs and reigning champions Manchester City by four points.

The Gunners don’t play until the weekend, though, meaning that Spurs could sit just a point behind them by the time Arsenal’s game against Southampton kicks off on Sunday.

The Spaniard appears to have finally found the formula to ensure that his young side play to the best of their ability each week, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba all having impressed so far this season.

Martinelli has started every one of Arsenal’s ten league matches so far this season and he scored and provided an assist in their win over Liverpool earlier this month.

Now, though, Martinelli has been told by a former Gunners defender that he ‘isn’t yet good enough’ to join a club of Real Madrid’s stature.

As reported by TalkSPORT, the former France international told Genting Casino that Martinelli must ‘reach another level’.

“I think Arsenal have to get that deal with Martinelli signed as quickly as possible,” he told the outlet.

“I’m sure he’s hearing so many things about him, like Real Madrid being interested. Sometimes the player can be confused.

“At the moment, I think he’s playing well, and Arsenal have to close that deal as soon as possible, so he feels better in his mind.

Martinelli has been told he isn’t yet good enough to join Real Madrid

“I don’t think he’s good enough for Real Madrid yet.

“In football, after two or three games, everyone is raving about that player, ‘he’s magnificent’ or ‘he’s a top-class player’.

“But no, calm down, let him have a great season to get to another level. He’s still young, and he’s only 21.

“But if he goes step-by-step, he can go to a club like Real Madrid, but right now, he’s not ready.”

Gallas’ comments come amid a superb run of form by Martinelli, who has scored four goals and provided two assists so far this season.

The Brazil international’s performances have started rumours linking him with a move away from The Emirates.

That has reportedly prompted Arsenal to enter into talks over a bumper new contract for the Brazilian, who has previously insisted that he does intend to stay put in the capital.

Martinelli, 21, joined Arsenal from Brazilian side Ituano back in the summer of 2019 and has since made 97 appearances for the club, scoring 22 goals and providing 15 assists across all competitions.

The forward has benefitted from Nicolas Pepe’s loan move to Nice, as well as the departures of both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, which has seen his playing time increase compared to last term.

Frenchman Gallas played for Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs during his time in England, captaining The Gunners for part of his time there.