Joe Cole compares Gabriel Martinelli to Alexis Sanchez and Luis Suarez as Martin Keown hails Arsenal winger

Joe Cole says he ‘loves’ Gabriel Martinelli and has compared the Arsenal winger to former Premier League stars Alexis Sanchez and Luis Suarez.

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Martinelli has been one of Arsenal’s best players this season, helping the Gunners win nine of their first 10 games in all competitions to go top of both the Premier League and Group A of the Europa League.

The Brazilian has started all-but one of Arsenal’s matches this term and produced another influential display on Thursday night as Mikel Arteta’s side beat Bodo-Glimt 3-0.

Speaking before the match, former England star Cole revealed his admiration for Martinelli, calling him an ‘outstanding footballer’ and likening him to former Arsenal star Sanchez and Liverpool hero Suarez.

‘This is an outstanding footballer,’ Cole told BT Sport when asked about Martinelli’s form. ‘I’ve loved him from the moment I laid eyes on him.

‘He’s so busy, he reminds me of Alexis Sanchez and Luiz Suarez. He’s exceptional with the ball at his feet, he’s got great technique and he affects the game.

<p lang=«en» dir=«ltr» xml:lang=«en»>“He reminds of an Alexis Sanchez or Suarez type” “I loved him from the moment I laid eyes on him” “He is a player now that’s going to the next level” Joe Cole & @MartinKeown5 lavish praise on Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli ð#UEL pic.twitter.com/Ft7ecPiXr8

‘He works so hard and I thought he was the man of the match in the north London derby [on Saturday]. When he gets the ball, there’s no thought of going back, he just keeps driving forward. He’s so tenacious.’

Arsenal legend Martin Keown was also on hand to give his verdict on Martinelli and said the 21-year-old is getting ‘better and better’.

He added: ‘Martinelli is a player that’s going to the