Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus has claimed that he was truly wowed when he saw one of his current teammates for the first time a few years ago.

The Brazilian has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates but he is still a very important part of Mikel Arteta‘s squad.

Jesus’ experience and winning mentality make a serious difference behind the scenes, and he is highly respected by everyone at the club

The 26-year-old has played with and against some exceptional footballers in his career.

Jesus has shared the dressing room with superstars like Kevin De Bruyne and Neymar, but it was an Arsenal player who blew him away the first time he saw him.

Let us tell you what he has said.

Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli is a gem of a footballer.

Nobody had really heard of the Brazilian when he joined the Gunners back in 2019. He came from Ituano, who were a fourth-tier club in his country at the time.

Martinelli became an instant fan favourite at Arsenal and had a spectacular debut season.

He scored 10 goals and provided four assists in just 15 starts, which is a tremendous return for a teenager in his first-ever year in England. The Gunners really struck gold with him, didn’t they?

Martinelli has since developed into a fantastic player. He hasn’t been at his best this season, but everyone knows what an incredible attacker he is.

Gabriel Jesus, who has been around the game long enough to know who’s a good player, was stunned by Martinelli when he first saw him.

The former Manchester City man has now revealed what really went through his mind when he spotted the Arsenal number 11 in Brazil a few years ago.

He told Arsenal.com: “I first met him when I was at a training camp with the national team. Brazil call in young players a lot to help us out and try them out, and I think I first saw him in around 2018, 2019.

“I was like, “Wow. What a player – this guy can really fly.” I followed him after that and when he came to Arsenal it was quite a jump from Ituana in Brazil, but he just played his game, straight away.

“On the pitch, everyone knows what he can do, but off the pitch what makes him special is his hunger. He wants to learn, he wants to improve, he wants to play.

“He’s there all the time, asking for the ball, taking on the opposition. He just goes again and again. He gives us a different type of player.”

One Arsenal player can help Gabriel Martinelli explode

Gabriel Martinelli was incredible for Arsenal last season, but his numbers haven’t quite been on the same level this time around.

The Brazilian has managed just eight goals in all competitions this season and has even dropped below Leandro Trossard in the pecking order.

However, Martinelli cannot be completely blamed for his drop in form.

The 22-year-old is often isolated on the left flank in Mikel Arteta’s system, and with Jakub Kiwior playing a lot of the games at left-back, he hasn’t had the support he needs.

Now, Arsenal have Jurrien Timber back from his injury, and if he starts at left-back, we think Martinelli will return to his best.

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