Ian Wright names the Arsenal player who is even better than he thought

is delighted by brilliant start to the season and admits one member of Mikel Arteta’s squad is even better than he thought.

The Gunners have enjoyed their best ever start to a league campaign, taking 34 points from a possible 39 to emerge as the pace-setters in the Premier League title race.

Arsenal’s sensational form has seen Arteta’s side move two points clear of defending champions Manchester City and 11 points clear of fifth-placed Manchester United.

Wright is starting to believe Arsenal can achieve something special this season and has singled out in-form winger for praise.

The 21-year-old, who was this week named in Brazil’s World Cup squad, has started all 13 of Arsenal’s league games this season and has been taking defenders ‘to the cleaners’, according to Wright.

Speaking on the , the former Arsenal and England striker said: ‘Martinelli is one of the main reasons why Arsenal are doing what they are doing at the moment.

‘This season, after speaking with him in pre-season and having a chat with him and asking him what he wanted to do, he’s actually doing it now.

‘He’s better than I thought he’d be. I know how much [Liverpool manager Jurgen] Klopp just loves him, I can’t see anyone who wouldn’t. There’s not a defender he’s come up against who he hasn’t just taken to the cleaners.

‘The way we have developed him into being able to go into the greatest footballing nation’s World Cup squad has to be a credit to Arsenal.’

Arsenal continued their brilliant run with a 1-0 win over London rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend.

‘It’s a really young team, but they played as a really mature team and it’s a big step against this opposition,’ Arteta said.

On Arsenal’s title chances, the Gunners boss added: ‘We are getting much better as a team and competing much better. We are getting really good results right now, but this is long, long.

‘Just look at the last six years, what Manchester City have done. With the best manager in the world, the best team in the world.

‘They have shown it consistently in every single competition. We have to be very, very respectful of that.’

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