Gabriel Martinelli exclusive
Gabriel Martinelli has already matched Arsenal records set by Ian Wright and Nicolas Anelka, giving hope to a fanbase starved of recent glory. Luckily for them, he’s in this for the long haul...
Arsenal’s teenage ace talks
We find ourselves in a ’ 90s renaissance period right now. Retro football shirts are very much in, and bucket hats are worryingly prevalent. All we’re missing is the inevitable Oasis reunion. Gabriel Martinelli was born nearly five years after Arsene Wenger took charge of Arsenal in 1996, but few young players have excited in a post- vintage Gunners era quite like their
Brazilian forward of 2020. It’s been a mere eight months since he arrived from Ituano in his homeland, but his technical qualities and fearlessness have already earned him huge approval in north London.
It didn’t take the 18- year- old long to make his case for a place in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI; one increasingly geared towards a period of hope and rebuild at the Emirates Stadium.
Martinelli has become the first teenager to net at least 10 goals in a season for Arsenal since Nicolas Anelka, shortly after Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hailed the youngster as “a talent of the century”.
Before joining the Londoners for £ 6 million last summer, the Brazilian had never made a league appearance for fourth- tier Ituano, a modest side in the state of Sao Paulo. But Martinelli’s performances in minor cup ties and youth tournaments had been enough to catch the attention of Europe’s giants.
The futsal- reared teenager was handed his professional debut when he was just 16. He scored his first goal aged 17. A year later, he crossed the Atlantic to follow great Gunners gone by such as Anelka and Ian Wright, with whom Martinelli often exchanges messages – as he reveals to Fourfourtwo in our maiden meeting with the wonderkid.
Despite his dizzying start to life at Arsenal, he comes across as remarkably grounded. If the starlet is showing plenty of swagger on the pitch, there’s nothing of the sort off it: no arrogance nor sense of entitlement, and no suggestion that he’s let all the early hype go to his head. No chance of Le Sulk here...
Who were your idols growing up?
It’s always been Cristiano Ronaldo. He keeps wanting more, and keeps aiming for titles – that’s why he is where he is now. Every player should have his hunger regardless of how old they are. I used to watch Champions League matches with my dad, and there he was in all the big matches, always making a difference at the top: scoring with his right foot, his left foot and his head. Winning.
Ronaldo is obsessed with his fitness, too. What about you?
I’ve got a nutritionist who plans my diet, and I try to stick to it as much as I can. I intend to hire my own physio as well – I want to get to the top. I do miss vanilla ice cream, though! I try to avoid it, but I love it and usually have a little bit on cheat days.
You made your professional Ituano debut aged 16 and became their youngest player this century. What was that like?
Ituano are an exceptional club, and I was so honoured to make my debut at such a young age. I had all the support I needed to develop my game. [ Former Middlesbrough midfielder] Juninho, then the club’s president, gave me confidence to play the best I could. All I had to do was to concentrate on my game.
Had you always wanted to play in Europe?
Yes. My dad used to tell to me how quick the game was in Europe, and about the strength needed to keep up with the pace. From what I saw and what he told me, my desire to play in Europe got bigger and bigger. [ FFT: You’ve mentioned your dad quite a lot.] Yes. My dad [ Joao] and my mum [ Elizabete] are the most special people for me. My dad used to work as a toolmaker, and my mum ( a warehouse assistant) would take me to training sessions when I was young. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
You once had a trial at Manchester United. What happened?
There was a partnership between Ituano and Manchester United which allowed me to go there every year, for four years, to train with boys my age or older. That was nice, because I got a first taste of what English football was like. I met Marouane Fellaini, Patrice Evra and Paul Pogba, and made sure I got a photo with all of them. [ FFT: Why didn’t you sign?] They didn’t make an offer, so I returned to Ituano and kept doing my job there.
You also had a trial at Barcelona...
Yes. I went to Barcelona in November 2018, stayed at La Masia and trained there for two weeks. That time, I wasn’t fortunate enough to meet any of the first- team squad because it was the international break – so no Lionel Messi! Everything in Europe was completely new to me, and I was really impressed with the facilities at these big clubs: the size of the gym, the number of pitches…
How did your move to Arsenal come about?
Ituano were competing in the Sao Paulo state championship last year, and when I started to stand out, my agent said he wouldn’t tell me about any bids so I could totally focus on my game. But eventually he had to step up the negotiations, so he informed me there were two options. It was a no- brainer to pick Arsenal. I wanted to join one of the biggest clubs in Europe, and they were the ones who really showed interest in me.
Juninho was Ituano’s president when you joined Arsenal. What did you talk about?
He told me that my playing style would suit European football perfectly and that, above all, I should remain grounded and not allow myself to get carried away, whatever I go on to achieve. He also said that I could call him whenever I needed anything. I’m so grateful for everything he did for me at Ituano. Even with his position at the top of the hierarchy, he was humble with everyone. Juninho was always busy in meetings, but would go and watch training sessions whenever he could. Depending on our results, he’d either praise us or tell us off! [ Laughs] He was a fantastic player and played in some brilliant sides, so he knows how to handle a squad.
Did you speak to Edu, Arsenal’s technical director, before signing for the Gunners?
Only when everything was almost done, and I got called up to train with the Brazil squad before last year’s Copa America. He asked if everything was finalised. Although he hadn’t agreed to join Arsenal at that time, he told me to honour the historic shirt and gave me his number in case I wanted any advice. Now that we’re both at Arsenal, he always boosts my confidence by saying very positive things.
What was it like when you first arrived in England? Which players helped the most?
When I turned up it was lunchtime, and only [ Pierre- Emerick] Aubameyang was sat at the table. My first thought was, ‘ F** k!’ I sat next to him, a bit shy, but as Auba speaks Spanish, he struck up a conversation and asked where I was from. We had a nice chat. He had met a random guy from another country, but was so kind and wished me luck. After that, there were some pre- season assessments at the gym. All the players were there: [ Mesut] Ozil, [ Alexandre] Lacazette, Auba... but I couldn’t speak a word of English. ‘ Oh my god’ was my initial reaction. Laca is a role model for me –
how can he control every ball that’s thrown at him? I watch him a lot to try to learn new things for my game. He greets me every day in Portuguese, asking how I am.
How do you handle your rise from Brazil’s fourth tier to being a Premier League star?
Mate, I don’t think like that. I think the person should always be the same regardless of his professional status. I’m still the same person I was at Ituano. I thank God and my family for everything that’s happening to me at the moment, but now is the time to work even harder. As my dad always tells me, it’s much harder to maintain a high level than reach it.
Is anyone with you to help you settle in?
It’s been a smooth settling process, because my parents are staying in London with me at the moment. I’ve got to improve my English and don’t drive, so they take me to training. I think I’m evolving as a human being, and I’m glad to be learning a new culture – that’s important to me. I take three English classes each week at the training ground.
Have you done much sightseeing yet?
Tower Bridge is my favourite place in the city. I joke that even the Arsenal cannon is down there. [ Laughs] When I first arrived in London, I took a picture there to bring me good luck!
Is there anything about England that’s not what you expected?
“I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SCORE AGAINST LIVERPOOL AND CHELSEA SO SOON – THAT’S INEXPLICABLE”
Sometimes it’s difficult to deal with the cold weather. I was used to living in Itu, a sunny city, 34 degrees… and here you get up, open the blinds, and the garden is white because of the frost! My mum still makes me Brazilian food, though, and her parmigiana beef is the best. I’ve tried fish and chips and enjoyed it, but I prefer my mum’s cooking!
You made your debut against Newcastle in August – was that a surprise?
I wasn’t expecting Unai [ Emery] to pick me so quickly. We have an app where he sent us the team for the game – I saw my name on there and couldn’t believe it. It’s always been my dream to play for a big European team, and I didn’t know what to do. I was at home and told my parents straight away.
You’ve already scored against Liverpool and Chelsea. Are you a big match player?
That’s the result of hard work – not just mine, but from my whole family and a squad that has been welcoming since day one. I never thought I would score against Liverpool and Chelsea so soon, though – that’s inexplicable. [ FFT: What did you make of Klopp’s “talent of the century” comments?] I saw what he said and was really happy to hear that from one of the best managers in the world. It shows that I’m doing a good job so far, and I thank him for the nice words.
You became the first Arsenal player since Ian Wright to score in each of your opening four starts for the club. Did you know much about him beforehand?
I was told that afterwards! Actually, I speak to him now – we often exchange messages on Instagram. I’ve got to thank him as well, for the way he’s treated me. He always gives me confidence and praises me after a good performance. Imagine me, a boy who’s just starting his career, receiving these types of messages from an Arsenal legend? He’s said some nice things about me in the press, and that gives me more strength to keep fighting for Arsenal every week.
What has Mikel Arteta said to you since he took over as manager?
He’s been brilliant. He pays a lot of attention to moves and keeps pushing me to improve my game; not only in attack but defence, too. The boss is very wise tactically and incredibly helpful. He’s not an angry guy at all, but likes showing you exactly what to do on the pitch: “If the ball goes that way, don’t stay here, go there and turn your body that specific way...” He has a keen eye for detail.
You’ve played for Brazil Under- 23s but are eligible for Italy through your dad – have the Azzurri approached you?
Arsenal are my priority – I want to establish myself here in the long- term. But obviously, I would like to play for Brazil’s national team, as my time with the U23s was great. There is the Italy option as well, but everything is still open and only time will tell.
You trained with Brazil’s senior team in the run- up to last year’s Copa America – what was that experience like?
I spoke mainly with Fernandinho, Richarlison and Allan – they’re humble guys. It’s difficult to describe your feelings when you play and then have lunch with people you could only previously watch on TV!
Are the Olympics in Tokyo this summer on your radar?
If Andre Jardine calls me up, I would be at his disposal to help Brazil. He wanted me for the Olympic qualifying tournament in January – and I told him that I obviously wanted to be part of it – but Arsenal didn’t allow me to go.
What would you like to achieve at Arsenal within the next decade?
I want to win the Champions League and lots of domestic titles to make Arsenal’s fans very happy. They deserve the best – not only the supporters but all of the club’s staff. I’d like to give back to the club after everything they’ve done for me so far and, as a result, become a Gunners legend.