Image: Martinelli fires home in penalty shootout as Brazil reach Olympic final

Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli was involved in today’s semi-final victory over Mexico, scoring in the penalty shoot-out for Brazil.

The 20 year-old hasn’t been a prominent fixture in the team during the tournament, coming off the bench for the third time as he went onto help his side overcome the Mexicans today in what turned out to be a feisty encounter.

There was an many as nine yellow cards during the clash, in which neither side was able to break the deadlock for the entire 120 minutes, but the Brazilians had no such struggles from the penalty spot as they scored from all four of their attempts, including Martinelli’s effort also.

Gabi’s side will now face off with Spain in the final of the competition.

Patrick

Tags Gabriel Martinelli Olympics

16 Comments

  1. So Arteta is not the only Manager who, more often or not, uses Martinelli from the bench.Perhaps he is not as good as some of us think?

  2. Same could be said of Saka- Southgate used him from the bench more often than not. Perhaps he is not as good as we all thinj

    1. Exactly Phil ,how anyone could come to the conclusion that Martinelli isn’t a star in the making is beyond silly .
      Martinelli is as good as most fans think and better .

      1. Dan- why Arteta refused to play him in a team struggling for goals is one of the standout mistakes he made last season. Ok, the boy needed time to ease himself back after injury but he made things happen in games when Aubamayang clearly wasn’t yet who played every game when fit? Willian stunk the place out for the whole season yet played over Pepe and Martinelli. This kid “could” just be something special. Given game time whether he is on from the bench or starting will prove to Arteta how good he is. That’s if Arteta is still around too long of voirse

      2. We have a manager who understudied Pep Guardiola. Pep Guardiola, a manager who like to assemble ready made & expensive players. Some fans said MA coached Raheem Sterling well but they have forgotton Sterling played for Liverpool in senior team for 3 years. He is young but a seasoned player with many starts as first 11.

        For his own good, Joe Willock should go to Newcastle. Similarly, those young players should also search for new teams instead of sitting on the bench. Current Arsenal is for old players and not young players. BTW, those old players will not have good resale values. Money is draining out of Arsenal.

        1. @kenny am not supporting Arteta decision on Matineli but present Arsenal team we are building now is not for old guys anymore mainly on young and vibrant…….u could see that base on our signing

      3. Based on that logic regarding Martinelli, Willian must be a superstar by all his appearances, and Xhaka world class by all his starts.

        Just ignore the decision on Martinelli was being made by a rookie rube manager with 2 8th place finishes and lost out on European football.

        But hey, anything to excuse Arteta and avoid accountability that was applied to his 2 predecessors.

        1. Let’s be honest Arteta isnt exactly a name to put forward when discussing a managers opinion and what’s best for the team .
          This is the bloke who as just offered Xhaka a new long term contract ,no pressure to do so that’s his choice .

        2. 1st off its one 8th place for Arteta. When we finished 8th the year before Arteta’s period had us 5th and won the FA Cup, we finished 8th because of Emery’s results earlier in the season, stop pretending that was Artetas season just to back up the fact you don’t like him. Last years season (his only one) was bad. He has to kick on this year, our finish last year suggests he will especially with a preseason and an actual transfer window.

          As to Martinelli he didn’t make the Brazil squad for the Copa and is bench player for their reserve Olympic squad yet Arteta was foolish for using him as bench player? But hey, anything to pretend Arteta is a bad manager right? Auba, Saka, Tierney and ESR all sign new long-term contracts because they think he’s a terrible manager and mistreats people as some say? Saka goes as far as to recommend us and Arteta to White on England duty? Why wouldn’t he warn White we have a rookie manager who can’t coach?

  3. Hope playing in the final – and possibly winning – will do wonders for his confidence. What an achievement either gold or silver will be.

    1. I agree SueP. I’m estimating MA will say he needs 9 months rest after his exploits and that’s the reason he’ll be bench.

      1. Imagine complaining about Martinelli being benched by Arteta when he rides the bench for the Brazil youth/reserves?

  4. Based on that logic regarding Martinelli, Willian must be a superstar by all his appearances, and Xhaka world class by all his starts.

    Just ignore the decision on Martinelli was being made by a rookie rube manager with 2 8th place finishes and lost out on European football.

    But hey, anything to excuse Arteta and avoid accountability that was applied to his 2 predecessors.

  5. Good luck to him and hopefully people will realise he still needs time before being a regular starter.

Comments are closed

Top Blog Sponsors