As Brazil manager Tite is announcing on Monday his World Cup squad, the local media has been having many stories about the players who deserve or not to be in that list.
Even though it’s been five months since Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli has last played a match for the national team, it’s hard to ignore the great season he’s been having for the Gunners.
That’s why UOL columnist Rodrigo Coutinho today features a piece saying the 21-year-old ‘deserves to be among Tite’s 26’.
The journalist highlights how ‘essential’ Martinelli has been for Arsenal’s impressive campaign this season, as he currently has five goals and two assists for Mikel Arteta’s side in the Premier League.
The biggest problem in Brazil’s squad is obviously the competition, since the likes of Neymar, Raphinha, Vinícius Junior, Antony, Rodrygo, Gabriel Jesus and Richarlison are believed to be ‘guaranteed’ in the list.
So he would fight for a place against Gabigol and Roberto Firmino. The problem for the Arsenal player is that unlike the Liverpool striker, he isn’t used to doing a job in midfield.
Still, Coutinho believes Martinelli could be a ‘quality option’ for the squad, as with everything he’s done his season, ‘meritocracy’ would give him a place.
“In addition to Martinelli, Gabigol and Roberto Firmino would be Tite’s alternatives. Neither of them showed the level of the Arsenal’s winger when facing opponents in a pattern closer to what the national team will face in the World Cup. Dribbling and aggressiveness from the left. Good passing and final decisions, accurate finishing, contributions from set pieces. His development draws attention,” he writes.
