When he arrived at Arsenal, Unai Emery’s goal was to bring the club back to where they belong.
The Spaniard’s doing a fine job this season in helping them finish in the top four and close to winning the UEFA Europa League, but he’s always looking out for bigger things to come.
Obviously, not everything has been perfect but this is a project. The years following Arsene Wenger were never going to be easy and what lies ahead is both exciting and daunting in equal measure.
A manager such as Emery would have already been planning on how he’ll shape up the squad going forward and has his transfer demands in place accordingly. Knowing about their financial restrictions, he’s aiming to make cunning signings of youngsters.
Indeed, according to the reports from South American outlet UOL, the Gunners are very close to signing Brazilian wonderkid, Gabriel Martinelli.
Currently thriving at Brazil’s Campeonato Paulista for Ituano, he’s scored six times since debuting earlier this year. An explosive winger who can operate from either side, Martinelli’s electricity is powerful enough to shock opponents. He’s only 17 but looks primed for big things thanks to his terrific work in Brazil.
Sounds good, right?
Perhaps Martinelli can sum up Arsenal right now. Talented, promising, unproven. Sadly, considering the spending power of their top six rivals, the North London giants might have to embrace that and grow together.
So far, Emery has earned a good reputation in relying on such talent because of how he gave rise to the likes of Matteo Guendouzi and Ainsley Maitland-Niles this season. On paper, Martinelli looks like his long-term unearthed gem and knowing the Brazilian’s potential, one can’t really question him for the ambition.
Martinelli is flashy, extremely fast and lethal in the final area. A youngster who’s scored 200 goals at youth level (stats from Football-Wonderkids), the 17-year-old meets the standards necessary at Arsenal for a young player already. Clearly, he’s got the potential to be a world-beater and Unai Emery has the recipe to make it a reality, creating a combination which can bring joy to Arsenal in the future.
Arsenal fans, would you be happy with Martinelli's potential signing? Join the discussion by commenting below...