05 January 2024 , 08:51
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Arsenal legend Martin Keown once claimed Gunners youngster Marquinhos was just like Bukayo Saka, but things have hardly gone to plan since for the Brazilian youngster.
Marquinhos joined the north Londoners from Sao Paulo, treading a similar path to that of Gabriel Martinelli, who arrived from the lower rungs of Brazilian football. However, Marquinhos has not enjoyed the same success, though for a brief period of time it looked like he might have been able to.
During a dazzling debut away at FC Zurich in the Europa League last season, Marquinhos bagged a goal and an assist in a 2-1 win. That performance led to Keown heaping huge praise on the wide-forward, as well as comparing him to another established talent.
He claimed: "He [Marquinhos] looked a bit like a [Serge] 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. I think it’s great news.
"We’ve seen Saka, we’ve seen [Emile] Smith Rowe in this very competition start their careers. I think we’re seeing another star here in the making."
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The praise didn't stop there. Weeks later, despite Marquinhos not actually being named in the starting line-up for the next Europa League clash, Keown was still waxing lyrical, comparing him to arguably Arsenal's most gifted player.
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Arsenal are set to terminate Marquinhos' loan at Nantes (FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)"Marquinhos is not playing tonight but he played in that very first game in Europe exceptionally well," Keown claimed. "It was like Saka in that position, it’s almost a copycat performance. That’s what you’re really looking for."
Since those comments Saka has maintained his status as one of the Premier League's very best, while Marquinhos has endured one dire loan spell and currently in the midst of another. The first came at Norwich, where the 20-year-old failed to settle, managing just one goal in 11 appearances for the Canaries.
His current spell away from the Emirates has been with Ligue 1 outfit Nantes, where he has played just 149 minutes worth of league action so far this term. As a result, those at the top of the Gunners hierarchy are planning to recall Marquinhos.
The reports come after the winger was accused of presenting Nantes with "a problem", according to manager Jocelyn Gourvennec, after expressing a desire to play in the CONMEBOL pre-Olympic tournament for Brazil. It seems unlikely that he'll be taking minutes away from Saka anytime soon, despite Keown's claim, meaning more loans could be on the cards for Marquinhos.