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Revealed: Arsenal wonderkid Martinelli was rejected by United after four trials, modelled himself for Ronaldo

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Gabriel Martinelli



Brazillian teenager Gabriel Martinelli shone again like a diamond last night in the London derby at Stamford Bridge.

Martinelli may not be one of the much-talked-about forwards in the European leagues, but since arriving Emirates last summer he has continued to prove himself as a gem.

He showed class again last night after sprinting past the outstretched N’Golo Kante on the halfway line at Stamford Bridge and emphatically slot home past Kepa Arrizabalaga to level the scoring against London rivals Chelsea.

No doubt Martinelli has shone at the Emirates in his breakthrough season

The 18-year-old showed composure, maturity and above all ruthlessness well beyond his age to inspire 10-man Arsenal to an impressive 2-2 draw on Tuesday night in the Premier League.

It will not be out of place to add that this is his debut season at the Emirates.

Ever since Arsenal fans caught a glimpse of Martinelli on his first competitive start against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup, they knew they had a real gem on their hands.

Since scoring a brace against Forest, he certainly hasn’t looked back, netting an incredible 10 times in 21 appearances for the north London outfit in what has been the club’s toughest season in modern history.

Martinelli’s brace helped Arsenal cruised to an impressive win against Standard Liege in their Europa League group match last October.

The credit of his move from obscurity in Brazil to Arsenal must go to the club’s former scout now head of recruitment, Francis Cagigao, who snapped up the teenager for £6million before he hit the world stage.

Cagigao has been responsible for spotting players such as Lauren, Cesc Fabregas and Hector Bellerin in his position as a scout for Arsenal.

What has made his emergence even sweeter was the fact that Manchester United decided to turn down the Brazilian after training with the club four times between 2015 and 2017, DailyMail UK reports.

There were high hopes for the teenager when he signed but no one at Arsenal or in football thought that he would go on to play such a key role for the Gunners already.

Following his £6m arrival, Martinelli explained all about his ethos:

“I am a player who gives his all at all times, I play as a team and am always looking to win games and win trophies.”

He also revealed how he modelled for Cristiano Ronaldo.

“I model my game on Cristiano Ronaldo, he is a player who works hard, pushing himself to the next level. Always in the run for titles and individual trophies.”

At West London on Tuesday night, Mikel Arteta revealed he was about to substitute him just moments before his special leveller as Arsenal played with a man down for more than an hour.

“I wanted to take him off because he looked knackered… and the next minute he’s sprinting 60 yards again!“, Arsenal’s manager revealed.

But while we can continue to sing the praises of his exceptional work-rate, it is his endless talent which truly excites Arsenal supporters the most.

His incredible 70-yard lung-busting run to haul Arsenal level against one of their biggest rivals went to highlight just how special a player Arteta has on his hands.

He has proven he can do it against the very best on a regular basis, scoring a brace at Anfield in the Carabao Cup following an enthralling 5-5 draw, which Liverpool went on to win on penalties.

And speaking after that game, Jurgen Klopp hailed Martinelli:

“He’s a talent of the century, he’s an incredible striker.’ Special praise from arguably the best manager in world football.”

Martinelli seems to have that aura about him in front of goal – when given an opportunity to find the net, you would back him to do just that.

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