Ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown believes that summer signing Marquinhos has a “huge future” ahead of him at the London club.

The Brazilian scored just 16 minutes into his debut for the first team during the 2-1 win over FC Zurich on Thursday night, and Keown thinks the winger could give Bukayo Saka a run for his money on the right flank:

“He’s got a huge future ahead of him. That’s a real opportunity now ahead of him. Bukayo Saka is only a couple of years older himself, but such is the quality he’s going to get chances. He looked a bit like a Gnabry-type player. He’s short, stocky, explosive pace. He looked very classy. He picked and chose his moments cleverly, whipped a couple of crosses in. Really good quality. He kept on producing.”

As well as scoring on his first appearance, Marquinhos provided the assist for Eddie Nketiah to help ensure that the Gunners got their Europa League campaign off to a winning start.

Things couldn’t have really gone much better for the 19-year-old, who was signed for only £3m from Sao Paulo back in June.

Although Keown’s comparison to Serge Gnabry is justified, many supporters will be drawing parallels to Gabriel Martinelli who was signed under similar circumstances. His fellow countryman was brought in for just £6m from Ituano and has gone on to flourish at the Emirates. Technical director Edu may have plucked another one out of the hat with Marquinhos.