Brazil’s media share their honest thoughts on Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli after performance vs Chile

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Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli played 71 minutes for Brazil as Carlo Ancelotti’s side cruised past Chile in a World Cup qualifier.

Despite his poor form at club level, the 24-year-old has consistently been a part of Ancelotti’s squad since the Italian took over the Brazilian national team, even starting ahead of Rodrygo.

Martinelli contributed to an impressive victory in Rio on Thursday night, with goals from Estevao, Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes giving the South American giants all three points.

Brazil move up to second in the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualification table, behind only Argentina, having already qualified for the tournament next summer.

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Brazilian media react to Gabriel Martinelli’s performance vs Chile

Martinelli has struggled in recent times for Arsenal, evidently suffering from a lack of confidence.

While he has fulfilled his defensive duties diligently, the winger hasn’t been able to offer sufficient threat offensively to make him a particularly valuable member of Mikel Arteta’s squad.

Despite this, Ancelotti continues to pick Martinelli for Brazil, and did so again on Thursday night at the Maracana.

Deployed in a front four alongside Estevao, Raphinha and Joao Pedro, the wide man was involved in a few promising attacks for Brazil.

Eventually replaced in the 71st minute by Kaio Jorge, Brazilian media outlet Globo Esporte produced a mixed review of Martinelli’s display.

Praising his willingness to play vertically, they criticised his decision-making and final action.

“His usual impetus and verticality, but he still lacks decision-making and finishing,” Globo wrote.

“He received two passes from Bruno Guimarães in the second half and finished poorly.”

The publication awarded Martinelli a six out of ten for his efforts, while the Brazilian public gave him a 5.3 on average, making him the lowest-rated player for Ancelotti’s side by the public on the night barring substitute Richarlison.

Gabriel Martinelli’s statistics vs Chile

Much like his selection away at Anfield, Martinelli is likely being picked for Brazil because of his defensive contribution.

Always hard-working and an effective presser, there are merits to selecting the former Ituano man. However, he needs to do more in the final third to retain his place in both teams for much longer.

That said, there were some green shoots in his performance against Chile.

The Arsenal star has become too predictable and conservative in possession, often looking to retain the ball rather than make something dangerous happen.

In this game, he only completed 71% of his passes because he was attempting more difficult things, while he completed two dribbles, had two shots and had seven touches in the opposition box.

He was successfully getting into dangerous positions and showing for the ball regularly, rather than hiding from the game like he has done recently at Arsenal.