Gabriel Martinelli warns Arsenal they need ‘big improvement’ this season

Gabriel Martinelli has warned Arsenal fans that there is a lot of improving to do and a big gap to bridge to the top sides, but the Gunners are heading in the right direction.

It was a disappointing end to the last season for Arsenal, slipping out of the Champions League places right at the end of the campaign, but excitement is returning to the Emirates.

The summer signing of Gabriel Jesus has gone down very well, as have his goals in pre-season friendly wins over Nurnberg and Everton.

With more arrivals expected, including Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko, some Gunners fans fancy their chances of making the top four this time around.

Martinelli believes things are going well for Arsenal and they are getting better under Mikel Arteta, but there is a long, long way to go to catch up with the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea.

‘We are improving, but there’s a big gap of improvement still to happen, but we will try to get there and try to win all the games,’ Martinelli told Arsenal club media after the 2-0 win over Everton in Baltimore.

Jesus and Bukayo Saka scored the goals in the win over the Toffees, with William Saliba starting at centre-back as he looks to make an impact at Arsenal after returning from loan at Marseille.

Arsenal have won their two friendlies so far and have more to come against Orlando City, Chelsea and Sevilla, with Martinelli enjoying their trip to America.

‘It was a hard game,’ he said. ‘We knew that they have a really good team, they are preparing the team as well for the Premier League and we tried to do our best and I think we deserved the win.

‘It’s very nice to see our fans here in America. I would like to say thank you to them for coming out here and supporting us. I think it was good for them as well because we got the win.’

MORE : Chelsea failed with late bid to hijack Arsenal transfer, claims Gabriel Jesus’ agent

MORE : William Saliba has ‘evolved’ since Arsenal transfer, insists Mikel Arteta

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