Arsenal fans have taken to social media to heap praise on striker Gabriel Martinelli after his brace against Standard Liege in the Europa League at the Emirates on Thursday night.
The Brazilian youngster was handed a rare start by coach Unai Emery and repaid the gaffer’s faith with two goals and an assist in the 4-0 rout of the Belgian giants as the Gunners took form control of the group with 100% record.
The former Manchester United trialist found the back of the net in the 13th and 16th minutes before setting Dani Ceballos for the Gunners’ fourth. Joe Willock scored the third goal as Arsenal maintained the 100% record after the 3-0 over German side, Eintracht Frankfurt on day one.
The main talking point of the night was how the Brazilian youngster took his goals. It was the second time he was scoring a brace as a starter after his double against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup a week ago. His first was a powerful header after connecting to a cross from the left flank. He then fired his second with a swerving right-foot shot from inside the penalty area.
Arsenal fans on social media have heaped praise on the young forward with some suggesting that he is even better than Portugal and Juventus superstar. Most fans want him given a chance in the English Premier League where he is yet to feature.
“I don’t want to overreact after Gabriel Martinelli’s two goals in two minutes but I think he is better than Cristiano Ronaldo,” one fan tweeted.
Gabriel Martinelli is making history.
🏆 #UEL pic.twitter.com/UpiyIi458l
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 3, 2019
2 starts. 4 goals. 1 assist. Arsenal's second top scorer this season, only behind Auba. Gabriel Martinelli is a special talent pic.twitter.com/4XlTruxiMU
— Arsenal Charrúa (@ArsenalCharrua) October 3, 2019
Yes this is Martinelli from behind. I think they spelled his name a bit wrong 👑 pic.twitter.com/gE1IHXz2jo
— 🔰GoonerHarold🔰 (@GoonerHaroId) October 3, 2019
Let's not get too excited about Gabriel Martinelli. He is just a young Cristiano Ronaldo. #COYG pic.twitter.com/BztmCnKpDb
— AngryTED😡™️ (@ted0fficial) October 3, 2019
⚽️ 2 starts. 4 goals.
🔥 Gabriel Martinelli is on fire. pic.twitter.com/NoqCNgxt3R
— SPORF (@Sporf) October 3, 2019
You'd be pretty miffed if you were a club who had had a striker like Martinelli on trial with you, had let him go and he'd now scored as many goals in 9 days as you've scored in 32.
— James Benge (@jamesbenge) October 3, 2019
I won't be surprised if Ole Gunner Solskagaer starts showing videos of Gabriel Martinelli to Marcus Rashford in a bid to help him improve his goal scoring techniques.
— WelBeast (@WellBeast) October 3, 2019
I don’t won’t to overreact after Gabriel Martinelli’s two goals in two minutes but I think he is better than Cristiano Ronaldo
— Aubazettes (@Aubazettes) October 3, 2019