Is Martinelli’s Arsenal claim coming true?

Gabriel Martinelli has been one of the Premier League’s standout stars this season with everyone outside of the club finally noticing him properly.

Only Gabriel and Granit Xhaka have played more minutes for Arsenal this season than Martinelli and, with four goals, only Gabriel Jesus has scored more.

Speaking back in March, Martinelli hailed this Arsenal team as one capable of becoming ‘one of the best in the world’.

It seemed slightly hyperbolic at the time but I would be lying if I said I don’t find myself now wondering the same thing.

“We are so young,” Martinelli said. “The oldest player in the game against City was Laca, but a lot of players are 22, 23, 24.

“We have time to improve and we are going to do that. One hundred percent — we will be one of the best teams in the world.”

A run of success is a dangerous thing for fans like those of Arsenal. For me, it’s a sustained run of games without being complete idiots.

These days, I’m constantly battling myself. The Martinelli part is eagerly pulling at a leash, howling to be set free.

It’s controlled, however, by the part of me so deeply scarred by Arsenal over the past 15 years, it’s scared to let go and believe.

But it really does feel different this time, doesn’t it?

Doesn’t it?