Legendary Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson has said that he believes that the Gunners can win trophies under their new manager Mikel Arteta. The Spaniard succeeded compatriot Unai Emery at the Emirates earlier in the season and the start to his tenure has mostly been positive, with many hoping that he can replicate the success he had at the club as a player.
Wilson mentioned Arteta as one of the most natural leaders “he had seen” and added that the 38 year-old was “bright” and “eloquent”. He also remarked that Arteta, who he thought was the “perfect man for the job” needed the support of Stan Kroenke and the board, and would deliver trophies if backed to the hilt.
The veteran expressed some fears about the nature of the transfer window post the Covid-19 pandemic, but tipped Arteta to get it right, saying and added that the young talent coming through for the club were hugely promising. Arteta was the PL’s first high-profile manager to be diagnosed with coronavirus, but has since recovered.
Among the youngsters, Wilson said he was impressed by the likes of Reiss Nelson, Bukayo Saka and Joe Willock, but signalled out Gabriel Martinelli for particular praise, saying that the Brazilian was “unbelievable with the positions he took up”. Martinelli has been one of the shining lights of this campaign for the Gunners, and with ten goals to his name already, his debut season at the Emirates can be safely dubbed a definite success.
Martinelli was picked up from relative obscurity, arriving from Brazilian lower division club Ituano for £6m last summer, and credit must be given to scout Francis Cagigao, who not only urged his bosses to sign the teenager, but also took the important step of securing an exclusive four week window of negotiation with the forward for the Gunners, thus enabling the North London outfit to beat several competing clubs to his signature.
Martinelli scored a brace on his first start for the senior side- in the Cup against Forest, and did likewise for his first league and European starts for the Gunners. Team mate Kieran Tierney has already labelled him as a star in the making, and his performances even drew praise for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who called him “the talent of the century”
Wilson has said that Martinelli should be kept at the club, saying that he “could hurt the Gunners” if he moved away.
Arsenal have had a tough season- they’re currently 9th in the league, and have already been knocked out of the League Cup and Europa League. The FA Cup, also their last trophy won, remains their only chance of silverware this season.