Arsenal youngster Gabriel Martinelli says he ‘did not think twice’ about joining the Gunners when they moved for him this summer.
The 18-year-old striker joined the club last summer in a €6.7m deal from Ituano, as Arsenal looked to tie up another young talent ahead of the competition.
He has proved to be one of the revelations of the season, with ten goals and four assists in 23 games in all competitions so far and a series of impressive performances earning rave reviews from all corners.
Despite several other clubs looking to sign him in the summer, Martinelli chose the Emirates as his new home and says he didn’t have to think about the move.
“I played Copinha and very quickly the São Paulo championship,” he told Marca.
“I did well and had some offers. Arsenal was the one who made a firmer proposal and serious planning.
“I was offered to train with the first team. We do not think twice. It was my dream and my parents’ dream that one day I could come to play in Europe.
“I didn’t think twice because Arsenal is one of the biggest clubs in Europe.”
Martinelli’s short time at Arsenal has seen a lot of upheaval, with a disappointing campaign putting plenty of focus on the club.
The young Brazilian has already worked under two managers, starting the season working under Unai Emery, who he scored seven goals in 11 games under before Mikel Arteta replaced him in December.
He’s continued to impress under the former midfielder, with two goals and one assist in six games so far, and believes there is one aspect that makes the current Arsenal coach amazing.
“Both are amazing people. Unai helped me a lot; he was the first who trusted me and picked me.
“I will always be very grateful. He was the one who gave me the first minutes in Europe.
“Mikel now also gives me a lot of confidence. I am very grateful. Always try to help me and give me advice so I can improve my football.
“In that, I think he is amazing because he tries to give attention to all the players and is a very good person.”
Things could have been very different for Martinelli, who had several other European clubs looking at signing him in the summer.
One of those were Barcelona, who had the 18-year-old training with the club in Spain before his move to Arsenal.
Real Madrid are another to have been linked, although the youngster insists he hasn’t heard anything from the Spanish giants.
“Shortly before the São Paulo Cup I spent a few days training in Barcelona,” he added.
“I spent 15 days there, which was the time I had on vacation in the U17 that ended in October.
“As Copinha did not start until January, we would train in December. And November was free.
“Barcelona invited me to train with them in La Masía, but afterwards they didn’t want to do anything with me, they didn’t tell me anything. I went back to Ituano, I played Copinha, and then I came to Arsenal.
“Nothing has come to me (from Madrid). I am focused here doing my job at Arsenal, and my head is here.”
