Martinelli all hung up over Brazil call

GABRIEL MARTINELLI has revealed he “couldn’t even talk” to his own family after breaking down in tears following his life-changing call-up to Brazil’s World Cup squad for Qatar. The Arsenal forward was forced to hang up the phone on his loved ones amid the ecstasy as his red-hot early-season form at Arsenal saw him gatecrash Tite’s 26-man travelling party for the tournament. Martinelli has been one of the standout performers for Mikel Arteta’s table-topping side this season, having scored five goals and registered two assists in 13 top-flight matches.

The jet-heeled winger (inset), just one goal shy of equalling his best Premier League goal tally, now looks to make an impact in Qatar with Brazil, who are the favourites to lift the trophy.

Martinelli said: “I’m very happy, it’s one of the most important moments in my life and in my family’s life as well – I’m buzzing, I’m so excited to go there and be part of this team. I cried a lot... and I was with my family and on the phone but I needed to turn the phone off and call them later because I couldn’t even talk.

“I’m so excited to go there and I’m prepared for the challenge and I hope we will win it.” Martinelli believes his scintillating start to the campaign with Arsenal has been integral to his inclusion as he detailed his first conversation with head coach Arteta following the call-up.

He said: “My Arsenal form has been so important because if I’m not playing good at Arsenal, I cannot be called up. That’s why I’m there, because I’m doing well with the club. When I talked to Mikel, he was so happy for me, said congratulations, and said go there and smash it.”

Martinelli, who Arsenal signed from Ituano for £6m in the summer of 2019, has three caps for Brazil and was joined in the squad by Gunners team-mate Gabriel Jesus.