---
title: "Gabriel Martinelli – Profile"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/gabriel-martinelli-profile/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Domagoj kostanjsak"
section: "Arsenal Football Club"
published: "2020-06-05T09:22:27Z"
modified: "2020-06-09T08:47:55Z"
---

# Gabriel Martinelli – Profile

**Name: Gabriel Martinelli**

**Club: Arsenal**

**Date of Birth: 18 June 2001**

**Position: Centre-forward/Left-winger**

## **Gabriel Martinelli – his career so far**

**Gabriel Martinelli** is a fairly fresh *Gooner*, having only joined **Arsenal** on a long-term contract back in July 2019 from the Brazilian side **Ituano Futebal Clube**. The 18-year-old has been somewhat of a sensation back in his home country and it really didn’t take long for his talents to spring up in the English top-flight as well.

But the difference between him and most of the young, up and coming prodigies in the *Premier League* is that he slotted straight into their first-team without having to experience life in the youth ranks first.

Of course, he had to claw through **Ituano’s** academy and into their first team before actually catching the attention of some of the big European clubs and there’s also an interesting fact about the youngster – he had a chance to audition for none other than **Barcelona** with their youth clubs but having spent some time with the Catalans, the *Blaugranas* decided he was simply not worth their time and they rejected the chance to sign him.

In retrospect, this would prove to be a mistake as **Martinelli** was then soon scooped up by **Arsenal** and labelled a sensation; an exceptional talent shooting for the stars. Back in Brazil, he managed to score ten goals in 34 appearances for the Sao Paulo-based club, definitely impressing during his stay.

But life at **Arsenal** has also been quite good so far – the now 18-year-old centre-forward made his debut with the *Gunners* when he came on in the 84th minute of a 1-0 win against **Newcastle** **United** on the opening day of the 2019/20 campaign. His first goals soon followed suit as the Brazilian got his first start against **Nottingham Forest** in the *League Cup* on September 24, 2019 and even more impressively – scored twice to seal the victory for **Arsenal**.

He didn’t stop there, however, as his second start – this time in the *Europa League* against **Standard Liege** on October 3 – brought his second brace for the club as well, already solidifying his place in the squad.

Since then, he’s made 26 appearances for the *Gunners*, scoring ten goals and assisting further four under his name.

## **Transfer latest**

With **Martinelli’s** sudden and explosive emergence at **Arsenal**, it doesn’t really come as a surprise that there were plenty of *transfer rumours* surrounding the young lad consistently. But despite interest from the likes of **Manchester United** and **Barcelona**, the *Gooners* got the best possible [**Arsenal** *news*](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-fc-news/) when the 18-year-old himself admitted he wants to win trophies and succeed at the *Emirates*.

Another *transfer news* connected with **Martinelli** is his big decision on which national team he wants to represent in the near future. Of course, both **Italy** and **Brazil** have reportedly been in a tug of war for the youngster but he has since hinted that the Selecao is his priority.

At the moment, there don’t seem to be any **Arsenal** *news* that should be of concern to the fans as the young lad seems determined to succeed at the *Emirates*.

## **Player profile**

Even though **Martinelli** is a centre-forward by trade, he’s actually been used out wide on the left flank quite often during his time at **Arsenal**. According to *Transfermarkt*, he only spent eight games out of 26 at his preferred role while he was deployed out wide on the left on further 14 occasions. The other two times he was a right-winger.

But regardless of the position he’s deployed in, **Martinelli** can boast with a great sense of positioning, awareness of his surroundings and fantastic off-the-ball movement that often enables him to be at the right place at the right time.

He averaged 4.68 dribbles per 90 minutes in 2019/20 with 51% of them being successful and 2.48 shots per game with 47.2% of them hitting the target.

It’s also important to note that he is a very willing runner, often working hard to both attack and defend, which is a trait not many forwards have nowadays. If these early signs are any indication at all, **Martinelli** could go on to become a huge star of the future.