As ESPN Brasil today features an interview with Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli, they talked about his early days in Brazil.
Besides speaking of his time at Corinthians’ academy, they also recalled that the attacker once had a trial with Manchester United which didn’t work out.
The Arsenal player talked about it and admitted there was a big with from him to join the Red Devils at the time.
“I was hoping… when you get a trial you think it’s going to work out. And at a club the size of Manchester United, it makes you anxious. But things happen for a reason. It wasn’t where I was supposed to be, it was at Arsenal. And everything worked out for me to go to Arsenal,” he told ESPN Brasil.
Gabriel Martinelli had been playing for non-league side Ituano when Arsenal found him. It’s not like he was an unknown player, though, as his club belonged to former Brazil midfielder Juninho Paulista and he was watched by many scouts, including Manchester United’s.
What the Gunners did great was in finding a deal to sign the player for just €7.1m in 2019. The club bet on his development and chose not to loan him out, keeping him close to watch his potential.
That seems to have worked out pretty well, as Martinelli now has 40 goals and 22 assists in 158 appearances for Arsenal.
He’s protected by the club with a contract running until 2027, with an option for an extra year, and clearly happy his trial with Manchester United didn’t work out.
