Dani Alves praises Arsenal 'phenomenon' Gabriel Martinelli

Brazilian right-back Dani Alves has heaped huge praise on his international teammate Gabriel Martinelli by labelling him a ‘phenomenon’.

The former Barcelona player has been training with Martinelli on international duty and is seemingly impressed by the Arsenal forward’s ability.

This month Martinelli earned his first international call-up for Brazil and Alves posted a picture on his Instagram account showing the two players facing up against each other in training.

In reference to Martinelli, Alves used the words ‘Just let’s go my Phenomenon!! So happy to have you by my side!!!’

Martinelli commented back with the words ‘Let’s go brother a pleasure to play with you.’

The 20-year-old has been getting rave reviews this season after breaking into the Arsenal first-team, scoring five goals in 19 appearances.

It was only in January when Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp described him as an ‘outstanding player’.

‘Little Martinelli, we will talk about this player in the future,’ said Klopp. ‘I can promise. If he is without major injuries he will have a proper career.

‘Everybody should remember that name. Outstanding player.’

Meanwhile, earlier this month, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also commended Martinelli on how well he has developed in recent months.

‘Gabi has shown big signs of the way he’s moving,’ Arteta said. ‘Certainly the capacity that he has to score goals and be a threat in the final third.

‘I think his contribution all around has been exceptional. I think he totally deserves the amount of minutes that he’s been playing.’

Martinelli made two substitute appearances in Brazil’s 4-0 wins over Bolivia and Chile over the past week and will now head back to Arsenal.

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