In an interview with popular Brazilian YouTube channel Bolivia Talk Show, Gabriel Martinelli talks about a number of aspects of his time at Arsenal, including the influence of Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, the story behind training with Manchester United and Barcelona and the importance of his grounding in futsal in adapting to the Premier League. I’ve translated some of the highlights below [with an assist from @binhaf].
ON HIS INJURY
“On 21st June I got hurt in training and I had surgery and for a month I couldn’t even put my foot on the floor- but for the last week I have been able to. I’ve started to walk again, doing the basics and re-learning how to walk.”
ON THE BIGGEST CHARACTERS IN THE ARSENAL DRESSING ROOM
“Lacazette and Auba are always being fun and making people laugh in training but when they enter the pitch, they are always serious- they don’t miss a goal. I learn a lot from David Luiz too, he is very experienced has won a lot and he is always talking to the younger players, trying to teach them and help them. I have learned a lot from him.”
“I always idolised Cristiano Ronaldo as I have said in many interviews, the way he is always giving 110% and he is always breaking records- I want to mirror that. But in this team I look up to Auba, he is an incredible guy. He is always scoring goals, in the games and in training he always wants more, he always wants to win and is always giving 100%. That’s the mentality I want to follow.”
ON HIS GROUNDING IN FUTSAL [Martinelli played for the Corinthians futsal team until he was 14]
“It was very important to start with futsal, it helps so much with ball control and taking quick decisions because you don’t have space. In futsal the game moves so quickly that you don’t have time to think, you get the ball and the opponent arrives and you have to make a quick decision and it is like this in the Premier League too.”
ON TRAINING WITH MANCHESTER UNITED AND BARCELONA
“There was a partnership between Ituano [Martinelli’s previous club] and Manchester United and every year I was chosen to go and train there, I trained there four times but it didn’t work out. In November 2018 I trained with Barcelona, in December I came back and prepared for the Copinha [a big São Paulo U-20 tournament that takes place every January], I played in the Copinha in January 2019, then the Paulistão [the São Paulo state championships that runs from February until May] and then I signed for Arsenal.”
ON WHO WILLIAN WILL REPLACE IN THE STARTING LINE-UP
“It could be me! He is a great player, he has won a lot and he is going to help us to win titles.”
ON HIS PREFERRED POSITION
“I like to play open and I play quite centrally, but I prefer to start wide. But my preference is always just to play, centre-half, full-back, goalkeeper, I just want to play.”
The full video is available below [in Portuguese]
Like him a lot and lots of talent, great goal v Chelsea.
Do as well (or close) as Ronaldo or Auba on the pitch playing for Arsenal and you’ll be a hero!
Haha! Centre half, goalkeeper, haha! Right spirit lad. I’m gutted that we won’t be seeing him till next year.
seriously, was a worry still seeing him on crutches after FA Cup final. So much fun to watch him. Hope he comes back strong, but this could be a slow recovery – not expecting too much this season.
Great attitude. I’m going to go optimistic and say that only playing half the season will mean he’ll still be fresh for the run-in. Up front we have plenty of players, so he’ll make for nice reinforcements come January/February.
This boy has a killer mentality I’ve rarely seen in Arsenal players in years.
Praying he comes back even stronger after his injury. He is our future.
He means business. Ambition is there. Hope Arteta builds a team that the most ambitious talents want to be part of.
I came looking for the Laca doesn’t miss goals jokes, maybe I’m just too early? I’ll be back in the evening don’t disappoint me guys!
Poor form boys, I know it’s preseason but I expect a stronger showing than this.
I idolised Cristiano Ronaldo. That I see. He is the player he reminds me of. That look in the eye, pure determination to succeed. Also their playing style, coming off the left to the CF position. All muscle and technique and determination to score, great in the air, dribbling ability, shooting.
I hope he is the new CR7
Damn you Auba, only 100%. Sheesshh, look at what RonnieAldo gives, you slacker!
The future of Arsenal.
This guy’s best attribute for me is his mental side. He really wants it! It’s so sad he got a long term injury, hopefully he can make up for lost time when he recovers.
In the past Ronaldinhio and Ronaldo and a few have spoken to Arsenal and went a different path if he keeps this mentality we could have finally landed a player who will be incredible in time
Prefer to leave room for younger players to push next season. 1) Nketiah. Either we show some faith in him give him a full season before making a decision or sell now. I don’t think we should be ready to release Laca, I think this is a mistake. I think we should be keeping him for one more season (he has two left) just to bridge over this season and see if Nketiah can step up or if we need to dip into market next summer) Reliance on Auba up top may be a gamble given he does not hold… Read more »
Arsenal shirt next to a Slayer shirt – love it!
Yep.
All good stuff.