Arsenal have a new claim to fame, but it comes with a bittersweet twist.
Official Premier League data has confirmed that Gabriel Martinelli is now the fastest player in the top flight, having been clocked at 36.74km/h this season.
The Brazilian edges out Tottenham duo Djed Spence and Destiny Udogie to claim the throne.
Wolves wing-back Jackson Tchatchoua initially held the top spot after registering a staggering 37.30km/h against Everton earlier in the season, the third-fastest speed ever recorded in Premier League history.
With Wolves relegated, however, Tchatchoua is no longer a Premier League player, meaning Martinelli inherits the crown as the league’s quickest player.
Discuss: What is the ideal sale price for Gabriel Martinelli?
The irony is that it comes at a time when Arsenal are reportedly ready to listen to offers for the Brazilian.
It may be time for Gabriel Martinelli to move on
It has been a strange season for Martinelli. Just one Premier League goal — but what a goal it was. His late equaliser at home to Manchester City early in the campaign proved pivotal in the title race.
Had City won that day, they would have been in the driving seat for the majority of the season. One moment of brilliance by Martinelli (and Eberechi Eze) potentially changed the entire trajectory of Arsenal’s title win.
He stepped up in Europe too. He was Arsenal’s top scorer in the Champions League with six goals on their route to the final, and in the penalty shootout against PSG, he converted the fourth kick before Gabriel’s crucial miss ended Arsenal’s dream.
At 25, with a contract running until 2027 — and an option to extend to 2028 — Martinelli still has significant value.
But Arsenal typically prefer to address contract situations before reaching that point, and the links to players like Morgan Rogers and Eli Junior Kroupi signal a clear intention to raise the level of the attack.
Martinelli is quick. He is talented. He has given Arsenal supporters some wonderful memories. But the time may have come for both parties to move on.
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