Cape Town - David Luiz says he will act as a mentor to Gabriel Martinelli so as to help his fellow new signing and Brazilian settle into life in the Premier League.
Both players were signed by the Gunners in the summer transfer window with Martinelli arriving from Brazilian outfit Ituano, while centre-back Luiz was a surprise late capture from Premier League rivals, Chelsea.
Experienced Luiz is expected to be a regular at the back under Unai Emery at the Emirates this season but Martinelli may have to wait longer to become a mainstay in the side as he learns and adapts to English football.
The 18-year-old did come on as a late substitute in the opening-weekend win at Newcastle and he is clearly highly rated by Emery and his coaching staff, who saw enough from him in pre-season to include him in the matchday squad to face the Magpies.
Luiz is among those who have been impressed with what he has seen so far from the teenager and is looking forward to watching his fellow countryman progress at close hand.
Luiz told the Arsenal website: “He is a young player, he’s talented and everyone speaks very well about him, everyone is excited because they know he has the potential to become a fantastic player soon and in the future.”
Martinelli scored on his first appearance for Arsenal in mid-July when he found the back of the net in the 3-0 friendly win over USA side Colorado Rapids in Denver and he then caught the eye further over the summer, particularly in the friendlies against French sides Angers and Lyon as the new campaign approached.
The teenager has plenty of competition at Arsenal as he attempts to force his way into Emery’s side, with the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Reiss Nelson and fellow youngster Joe Willock all among the boss’ options.
Luiz is excited about his potential, though, and the defender appears to have decided to take the youngster under his wing at the Emirates and he hopes he can help him develop as he gets used to being a Premier League player.
He added: “It will be good to work with him, try to help him and also give him a bit of my experience in football around the world. I hope we both can do big things here.”
Martinelli will wait to learn if he will be involved in Arsenal’s next game against Burnley on Saturday as the Gunners look to make it two wins out of two at the start of the new season.