Mikel Arteta delighted in Gabriel Martinelli’s star performance against West Ham on Wednesday, but the Arsenal boss called on the youngster to ‘mature’ physically in order to take his game to the next level.

Martinelli fired Arsenal in front with a Thierry Henry-esque strike against the Hammers, powering past Vladimir Coufal before opening his body to find the far corner past Lukasz Fabianski.

Emile Smith-Rowe wrapped up the three points with a clean strike towards the end of the game, but Martinelli’s performances have got Arsenal fans talking having made four goal contributions in his last five league games.

And Arteta has hailed the Brazilian’s performance at the Emirates, but noted that his physical struggles in the final knockings of the match – in which he fell to the turf with cramp – needs to be ironed out.

‘Certainly he was one of the best in every aspect of the game,’ Arteta said in his post-match press conference.

‘Physically he was cramping again today. He needs to mature on that side of the game. He’s able to put some gears into his play instead of doing everything 100 miles per hour.

Arteta added: ‘His overall understanding of the game is getting much better. The energy and the quality that he shows sometimes is top.’

Martinelli, 20, featured in a very young side on Wednesday, joining Bukayo Saka, 20, Martin Odegaard, 22, and Smith-Rowe, 21, in accompanying experienced striker Alexandre Lacazette in attack.

The trio’s youth and verve offer optimism at a time where the club is in the midst of a saga involving Arteta and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Arsenal confirmed the £350,000-a-week striker had been relieved of the armband following his ‘latest’ disciplinary breach last week, which saw him return back late from France after collecting his sick mother.

Martinelli is hopeful that the team can build on their performance after moving into the top four.

‘It was a very good game,’ he said. ‘The win was so important for the team. We know the potential we have. It was a great victory. I am so happy.

‘We are a team. We are together. It’s up to Mikel [Arteta] and the whole team to decide who will be captain.’