Gabriel Jesus 'one of the best strikers in the world' - Arsenal team-mate Martinelli

Gabriel Jesus celebrates after scoring a hat-trick for Arsenal against Sevilla in the Emirates Cup.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Gabriel Martinelli has hailed Arsenal and Brazil team-mate Gabriel Jesus as 'one of the best strikers in the world' following his hat-trick against Sevilla on Saturday.

Jesus, a summer signing from Manchester City, continued his recent fine form with three goals in the Emirates Cup win - his first home game for the Gunners.

The 25-year-old struck twice within a minute in the first half and added another late in the second half to complete his hat-trick and make it seven goals in five pre-season games for Mikel Arteta's side.

 "For me, he is one of the best strikers in the world," Martinelli told reporters after the Gunners' 6-0 win.

"I am happy to have him here and it is a pleasure to play with him. I hope I give a lot of assists for him and we go to the national team together."

Martinelli also revealed that he and Gabriel Magalhaes had been working to convince Jesus to join them in north London for a while.

"Me and Gabi were always saying to him, ‘come to Arsenal', and you can see what he is doing now," he said.

"Of course, he knows how to win. He's going to be important for us this season, not just scoring goals but giving us advice as well."

Ben Hayward
Weekend editor

Ben Hayward is a European football writer and Tottenham Hotspur fan with over 15 years’ experience, he has covered games all over the world - including three World Cups, several Champions League finals, Euros, Copa America - and has spent much of that time in Spain. Ben speaks English and Spanish, currently dividing his time between Barcelona and London, covering all the big talking points of the weekend on FFT: he’s also written several list features and interviewed Guglielmo Vicario for the magazine.