“I just hope he’s not on his day” – Arsenal star claims Chelsea have a player who’s “so good”

Gabriel Martinelli has heaped praise on Estevao Willian for his start at Chelsea as the Blues prepare to take on Arsenal.

Chelsea welcome the Gunners to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon in a top of the table clash, with six points separating the sides.

A first win against Arsenal since 2021 would see Chelsea cut the deficit to three points, and put Enzo Maresca’s men very much in the title mix at this stage of the season.

Gabriel Martinelli praises Estevao

A number of top players will be on show across both sides, but perhaps none are more exciting than 18-year-old Estevao.

The teenager has had an incredible impact since arriving at Chelsea from Palmerias in the summer, and has five goals in all competitions, including three in the Champions League.

Estevao has rightly been receiving plaudits, and Arsenal’s Martinelli was full of praise for his international team-mate ahead of the big game.

Estevao has made an instant impact at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

“He’s a nice boy, his family are as well, everyone’s so humble, they deserve everything that they are doing here,” he said as quoted by The Standard.

“The boy is so good as well, everyone in the national team loves him as well. He deserves everything that he’s doing, and I just hope he’s not on his day on Sunday!

“In the national team we had some talks, not just me and him, but everyone.

“So we knew before he came how good he is and it’s not a surprise for us because we knew him from Brazil. He deserves everything, so yeah, fair play to him.”

Cole Palmer available for Chelsea

Despite Estevao making a brilliant impact, one thing he’s not been able to do is link up with Cole Palmer on a regular basis.

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In fact the duo have only shared the pitch for four minutes this season, with Palmer struggling with a groin injury.

However, the England international is fit and available to face Arsenal, and the duo could find themselves on the same pitch on Sunday afternoon, which is a mouth watering prospect for Chelsea fans.