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Mikel Arteta says he has plans to unleash the relationship between attacking duo Gabriel Martinelli and Fabio Vieira in the coming weeks.

As reported by the Arsenal website, the Gunners manager noted that the pair “love each other so much” and that their chemistry in the final third is clear, which can undoubtedly be used to the club’s advantage.

Arteta also touched on how Martinelli is now building a similar chemistry with fellow forward Leandro Trossard, with the duo both handed starting roles in Arsenal’s recent games.

Amid the absence of Gabriel Jesus through injury, January signing Trossard has been granted a place through the middle, helped out wide by star winger Martinelli.

The pair were key in Arsenal’s latest victory, with Martinelli scoring twice and Trossard grabbing an assist in Wednesday’s 4-0 thumping of Everton. Fellow winger Saka also starred with a goal and an assist. It was, however, Martinelli who secured the Player of the Match award.

Arsenal are now five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, with both clubs having played 25 matches. The Gunners have won 19 of their games, compared to City’s 17 victories.

Arteta planning to unleash attacking duo

Vieira meanwhile joined the action in the 72nd minute, with Emile Smith Rowe arriving on the pitch 10 minutes later, highlighting just how many talented options Arteta has at his disposal.

But the manager was particularly struck by Martinelli’s relationship with Vieira, with Arteta telling the Arsenal website: “I think relationships are built in teams and that chemistry comes naturally, and when you see him play with Fabio more together, he has even more chemistry because they love each other so much, and they have that way of looking at each other and understanding what’s going to happen.”

And when asked if the pair will be utilised together in upcoming Arsenal games, Arteta replied simply: “Yes, for sure.”

The boss added that the Brazilian is now back to his best after a slight dip in form and a brief spell out of the starting XI, with Martinelli also linking up expertly with Trossard.

“He’s also building that with Leandro and he’s feeling a bit more freedom to move into certain areas, and now his confidence is high again,” said Arteta. “He’s scoring goals, he’s assisting goals and he’s in a good mood.”

Arteta

Zinchenko and Saka also impress Arteta

It wasn’t just the connection between Martinelli and Vieira that impressed Arteta, with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Saka also proving to enjoy a close connection.

The pair linked up for Arsenal’s opening goal against Everton, sending the Gunners on their way to the resounding victory, much to their manager’s delight.

Arteta noted: “You have to produce those magic moments and take that initiative and have the mentality that ‘I’m going to do it on the pitch – I’m not going to wait for somebody else to do it.’

“When you have a few players with the willingness and capacity to do that, you have a better chance to win more games.”