Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has urged his teammates to be vigilant as they prepare to face Chelsea’s rapidly rising star Estevão Willian in Sunday’s Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal enter the London derby as league leaders, holding a four-point advantage over Manchester City with a game in hand. Mikel Arteta’s side have lost just once in their last 12 matches and currently boast the Premier League’s best defensive record as they continue their push to turn three consecutive second-place finishes into a long-awaited title.
Chelsea, however, approach the match in formidable form of their own. The Blues have won five of their last six games and produced a stunning Champions League victory over Barcelona earlier in the week, with 17-year-old Estevão once again delivering a standout performance.
Martinelli Praises Estevão but Hopes He “Isn’t on His Day”
Estevão, who joined Chelsea from Palmeiras for £29 million in the summer, has quickly justified the investment. The Brazilian teenager has scored nine goals in his last 13 appearances and has drawn widespread attention for his maturity and technical ability.
“Estevão is a great kid… he’s so talented,” Martinelli told the Evening Standard. “Everyone in the national team loves him. He deserves everything he’s achieving—I just hope he’s not at his best on Sunday.”
Martinelli added that Estevão’s talent was well-known among Brazilian players long before his move to the Premier League. His rapid rise has already prompted comparisons to Neymar, and his early performances suggest the hype is warranted.
Chelsea Teammates Equally Impressed
Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana also expressed admiration for the young forward.
“He can dribble, he can score, he can pass—he can do everything,” Fofana told Stadium Astro. “He’s very young, so we need to protect him and help him keep improving.”
Chelsea have been managing Estevão’s development carefully, balancing his minutes while ensuring he adapts steadily to the intensity of English football.
More Than One Threat for Arsenal
Arsenal’s focus won’t rest solely on Estevão. Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo, who was heavily pursued by Arsenal before joining the Blues from Brighton, remains one of the world’s most dominant defensive midfielders and will also pose a serious challenge.
Both sides head into the derby in excellent form, but Arsenal will be particularly wary of one of the league’s most exciting young attackers—a player Martinelli respects deeply, even if he hopes his compatriot has a quiet afternoon on Sunday.
Source: gistreel.com
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