Gabriel Martinelli has expressed his desire to sign a new Arsenal contract and insists negotiations are not distracting his performances.
The 21-year-old is out of contract in 2024, though the club has the option to extend his deal by a further year.
He was signed for only £6.4million from Ituano in 2019.
Arsenal have made some questionable signings since Arsene Wenger left, but Martinelli is hands down the best of a fairly average bunch.
After a solid 2021-22 campaign in which the Gunners came extremely close to exceeding expectations and qualifying for the Champions League, Martinelli is currently in the form of his life and eyeing a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad.
He managed six league goals last season and is already on five after 12 games, with Arsenal sat top of the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta is growing a terrific young squad with talented players such as William Saliba, Benjamin White, Aaron Ramsdale, Bukayo Saka and Martinelli on top form.
There is one dark cloud hanging over the Emirates, however, with fans anxiously waiting for good news regarding Saliba, Saka and Martinelli’s contract situation.
Saka and Arteta have echoed each other in saying they are confident a deal will be struck.
Saliba has been offered a new contract in the last few days, but is yet to make a decision.
And Martinelli has always been said to be keen on extending, and he has now confirmed this.
Speaking on Wednesday, the 21-year-old Brazil winger told reporters: “I’m very happy at Arsenal. I said it many times.
“This is my club. I love to be here, I love the city, the club, everything about Arsenal.
“I want to stay. I’m very happy. I just need to get a pen.”
When asked if contract talks are becoming a distraction, Martinelli responded: “I really don’t care. I want to stay. I want to score in the next game and do well and help my team win the game.”
He continued: “When I knew that Arsenal wanted to buy me I was so happy, it was one of the happiest days of my life. Every player that has the opportunity to play for Arsenal will try to do his best and try to play their best football.”
In March, Martinelli admitted that he would happily stay at Arsenal for his entire career.
After the youngster shone against Liverpool last month, Arteta insisted an individual performance is not going to be the difference between earning and not earning a new deal.
“We don’t get directed by an individual performance,” he said.
“Gabby doesn’t have to…
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