Arsenal football club has confirmed their first summer signing, Ituano Futebol Clube teenager Gabriel Martinelli.
The 18-year-old has signed a long term contract with the club and will join up for pre-season training once the regulatory process has been completed.
The young lad is definitely talented, so much so that he was called up to the Brazilian squad for a training camp prior to the Copa America.
Martinelli has already had an interview with the club and here is the transcript.
Good afternoon Gabriel and welcome to Arsenal. Arsenal fans are very happy to have you here at the club. Could you let the fans know what kind of player you are?
I am a player who gives his all at all times, I play as a team and always looking to win games and win trophies.
Which player do you model your game on?
I model my game on Cristiano Ronaldo, he is a player who works hard, pushing himself to the next level. Always in the run for titles and individual trophies.
Are there any players that you look up to?
I look up to Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar as they are players who can decide games and are very professional, who dedicate themselves to the whole game.
What excites you most about this opportunity at Arsenal?
It is a dream since I was a child and also my family’s dream for me to be playing in Europe and playing for a big team like Arsenal. I am going to take this opportunity.
How did it feel to pull on that Arsenal shirt for the first time?
A very big moment, I am very grateful for everything, I am grateful to God and I will try to make the most out of it.
Do you know the history of the Brazilian players who have played for Arsenal?
I know a few. I know Edu, Denilson and I know that they have a lot of history at the club. Edu, in particular, I had a little contact with him at Corinthians as I had a spell there and I know they had a lot of success here but also for the national team. I am going to try to follow the same route.
You recently trained with the Brazil national team in preparation for the Copa America. What was the feeling of being there? How did you find out about the call up?
It was an amazing feeling, a dream come true, being able to be beside great players. I was home when I got the news and I was super happy. It is a great opportunity to learn and I enjoyed it as much as I could and I have to thank the team for welcoming me with open arms.
No fee has been mentioned but a figure of £6 Million has been reported and hopefully he will justify every penny.
He is obviously not a marquee name and while he is undoubtedly talented he has not been playing top-level football and his signing will bring into question some of the young forwards we already have at the club.
I do welcome this signing because from what I have read he could be something special but I do worry that he will do nothing to strengthen the squad right now. He seems a more long term purchase that still requires development as opposed to a player that can be fitted into the first team immediately.
But we have all been moaning about lack of signings and so credit to the club for finally making something happen.
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