Gabriel Martinelli says Edu and Unai Emery have done a lot to help him settle at Arsenal and he’s now looking forward to making his mark on the first team.
Signed from homeland side Ituano in July, the 18-year-old Brazilian has enjoyed a whirlwind start to life at the Emirates, taking part in the pre-season tour of the US, bagging a goal on his debut against the Colorado Rapids, featuring against Barcelona and making his Premier League bow at Newcastle.
In an interview with Lance [translated by Sport Witness], the teenager took stock of his change in circumstance and sounded pretty satisfied with his first few months in London.
“My adaptation has been the best possible,” he said. “I had a strong pre-season where I was able to play a good role and showcase my qualities.
“I’ve arrived in a new place, with a different culture, another style of play and only with time and working day-to-day will I develop in the best way possible.”
“The coach is a great person, and I’m learning a lot from him on a daily basis,” he added.
“I try to do my best in training so that, when I have the opportunity, to grasp it with everything.
“Edu is an exceptional guy, a great professional, victorious and who made history with the Arsenal shirt. We talked a lot when I arrived and, undoubtedly, having a person like him around motivates us more and more.
“I was received in the best way possible. Being very young, I got a little shy, because I only saw these players on television, on video games. But they welcomed me very well, making me feel at home and I try to learn from them on a daily basis.”
Martinelli’s next challenge is to take advantage of the departure of established names to stake a claim for regular first team football. It’s likely that he’ll feature in both the League Cup and the Europa League.
“As it’s my first season, I want to show my potential to steady myself at the first team,” he said.
“I know the squad is packed with great players, but I know what I can do and my goal is to help the team. I think we can achieve great things this season by winning titles and marking our name in Arsenal’s history.”
Really excited about this kid, hope he gets lots of opportunity in the cups and the later stages of the prem. Good luck to him!
He might just turn out to be our own Aguero
Following the footsteps of Silvinho and Edu in coming from Corinthians, via Itu.
Awesome to get these little nuggets of Edu’s impact. He is quietly going to become one of our best (re)signings! The future looks bright and it looks red!
Super excited about this kid. He has flashes of Neymar (minus the sideshows) in him. Wishing him all the best in the Arsenal jersey.
So many quality prospects, so little time for them all to play. Saw an interesting thing that Saliba has been included in our PL registration. I guess we had a free spot this season, and provided we register him in the following 2 seasons, he’ll qualify as homegrown, despite never setting foot in the Emirates this year. Pretty sharp!
Quality move and smart stuff from team management!
Curious as to why it was decided that he would be the back up striker and not Eddie. Something to do with something I suppose?
Think Emery wanted him to stay, but Eddie took the choice for more game time.
Curious observation; Martinelli’s first start for Arsenal could be on the left wing up against Forest’s right back Carl Jenkinson in the League Cup.
Poor jenko??
I really wanted us to keep Jenko. He felt like our personal connection to the Club. I understand why he had to go, though I’m not sure it saves us much cash, but still would have liked him to stay.
I can still dream that he’ll do a “Martin Keown” and come back to us one day as a much improved player.
In the Carling Cup, will he be the one playing striker since Eddie had gone on loan?
Either him or perhaps John-Jules.
Either way, it should be exciting!
May have a roie to play this season out wide or third choice up top. Certainly seems to hold the ball well if still (understandably) rough round the edges and a bit of green needing to be rubbed out. But with Pepe and Nelson the main wide players (plus Auba), we will need one more for depth. Young Saka can also provide something. Plenty of youthful endeavor these days with Willock, Guendouzi in midfield, AMN at fullback, Martinelli and Saka to join Nelson wide. Still some idiots in forums going on about our lack of home grown and desire for… Read more »
Why do you call other people idiots? Is it becuse they have a different opinion than you? Sorry to say, but in that case you will soon find that most people here are ”idiots”.
Yes, I used to think that while his very long comments are very annoying, he was always polite but these days he became rude.
I see him eventually transitioning into a CF.
Yeah he will do an Thierry Henry, Winger-Striker transition. It will probably take around 3 seasons.