Arsenal Star Issues Warning Over Chelsea's Rising Talent
Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has openly praised his compatriot and Chelsea's teenage sensation, Estevao Willian, issuing a subtle warning to his teammates ahead of this weekend's highly anticipated Premier League London derby.
The Gunners, who currently sit at the top of the table, will make the short trip to west London to face a resurgent Chelsea side at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Mikel Arteta's squad boasts a four-point lead and a game in hand over second-placed Manchester City, making them clear favourites for the title after an impressive start to the season.
Chelsea's Brazilian Prodigy Takes the Premier League by Storm
While Arsenal's form is formidable, their city rivals are also riding a wave of confidence. Chelsea have won five of their last six matches, including a emphatic victory over Barcelona in the Champions League, where Estevao Willian scored a superb goal to continue his stunning rise.
The 17-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Palmeiras in a £29 million summer transfer, has quickly become one of the most exciting young players in world football. He has netted an impressive nine goals in his last 13 appearances across all competitions.
Martinelli, speaking to the Evening Standard, was full of admiration for his fellow Brazilian. 'Estevao is a nice boy, his family are as well, everyone's so humble,' he said. 'They deserve everything that they are doing here. The boy is so good as well, everyone in the national team loves him.'
National Team Insight and Derby Day Hopes
Martinelli revealed that the Brazilian national team setup was already well aware of Estevao's immense talent before his high-profile move to England. 'In the national team we had some talks, not just me and him, but everyone,' Martinelli explained. 'So we knew before he came how good he is and it's not a surprise for us because we knew him from Brazil. He deserves everything.'
Despite his clear respect for the youngster, the Arsenal star concluded with a hopeful note for the upcoming clash, adding, 'I just hope he's not on his day on Sunday!'
The praise for Estevao doesn't stop with Martinelli. His Chelsea teammate, Wesley Fofana, has also been impressed, stating the young forward 'can do everything'. Fofana emphasised the club's commitment to protecting the prodigious talent, acknowledging his youth and the need to allow him time to develop.
As Arsenal prepare for the derby, they will also be wary of the threat posed by Moises Caicedo, the world-class defensive midfielder they once tried to sign from Brighton. The stage is set for a thrilling encounter between two of London's finest, with a Brazilian flair taking centre stage.
