'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
This week Arsenal officially announced their first signing of the summer, with the acquisition of Brazilian teenager Gabriel Martinelli. The Gunners purchased the 18-year-old for a fee close to £6million. Headhunted by the club’s new technical director himself, Gabriel Martinelli can be declared as the first signing of the Edu era.
This is the same player that has had trials at both Manchester United and Barcelona. Although they weren’t successful, it still showcases the pedigree of his talent. It remains to be seen whether Gabriel Martinelli could be a first team player this season but regardless, Arsenal has made a potentially shrewd investment.
In a time where the Gunners are looking to rebuild the whole squad, don’t be surprised to see the youngster feature heavily in Emery’s plans, look at what happened with Mattéo Guendouzi last season!
Here’s what Gabriel Martinelli brings to Arsenal.
#3 Versatility
As is the case with exceptionally talented youngsters, Martinelli excels in a number of positions. The Brazilian has been known to play as a striker, winger and attacking midfielder.
Many publications say that Corinthians was Martinelli’s first club, what they don’t tell you is that he was a Futsal player at Corinthians. For those who are not familiar with Futsal, it’s an adaptation of football originating from Uruguay that’s played with a smaller ball on smaller pitches.
The sport focuses on developing a player’s ball control and precision of passing. Through this Gabriel developed his wizardry dribbling in tight spaces and football intelligence from the confined 5-a-side pitches.
It’s because of these skills that the Brazilian can play in any one of the front four positions, as his influence on the pitch goes beyond physical traits, but also through his quickness of thought.
#2 Potential for the future
For far too long, Arsenal have not enjoyed too much success with youth players. Of course, there have been a few academy prospects who’ve made the successful step up, but none of which who could say they’ve been integral to Arsenal’s progression.
The Gunners only have to look to their nearest rivals to see the impact of youth. For example, Marcus Rashford is excelling at Manchester United, Ruben Loftus-Cheek at Chelsea and Harry Kane at Tottenham.
Arsenal need exceptional young talents to come into the side and become the focal point - and Gabriel Martinelli has that exciting potential.
At just 18 years of age, many are looking at him to compete with Alex Iwobi for the problem left-wing position. As of course, it’d be difficult for him to compete with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or Alexandre Lacazette as the club’s main striker.
Martinelli is the future of Arsenal and in a couple years’ time, fans and pundits alike will hail this as a landmark moment.
#1 Prolific strike rate
Having originally started his career in Corinthians, Gabriel Martinelli has scored at every club he’s been at. As a youth player, Martinelli scored over 200 goals at Corinthians before he moved to Ituano.
In March 2018, he made his debut for Ituano, becoming the club’s youngest ever player (16yrs, 9 months).
He went on to continue that strike rate by scoring an impressive 64 goals in 92 games.
His rich goalscoring form earned him the privilege of training with the Brazilian national team ahead of the Copa America.
This privilege is only given to youngsters of exceptional talent. Martinelli has an eye for a goal as shown through his fox in the box movement and clinical finishing.
This season alone, the 18-year-old has directly contributed to 9 goals in 14 appearances, whilst creating 7 chances in the process. That’s the standard of productivity the Gunners will be seeking on a weekly basis.
