Gabriel Martinelli

Before N5

Martinelli grew up in Guarulhos, outside São Paulo, sharpening his feet in futsal after Corinthians passed on him, and broke through at Ituano in the São Paulo state leagues. Manchester United looked at him four times on trial and hesitated; Arsenal didn't, paying around £6m in July 2019 for an eighteen-year-old almost nobody in England had heard of. Ten goals in his debut season, and a sixty-yard slalom at Stamford Bridge, fixed that quickly.

The Arsenal chapter

Martinelli's first years were pure ignition: Europa League goals, that Chelsea run, and a Premier League breakthrough under Arteta. Injury interrupted the rhythm, form has flickered, but his sprint and first contact still change how high opponents dare to stand.

How he plays

Martinelli attacks space like few players alive. He stays high and wide on the left, takes his first touch on the run, and goes outside or inside at a pace defenders simply cannot match over twenty yards. The finishing is instinctive and early, the pressing ferocious, and the appetite for the far post when play is on the right never switches off.

Timeline

• 2001Born in Guarulhos; futsal courts, then Ituano
• 2019Arsenal pay around £6m for the eighteen-year-old
• 2020The Stamford Bridge solo run announces him to England
• 2022Brazil debut and a World Cup squad place
• 2026Transition threat in the title-winning squad