Fans on social media have now called on Mikel Arteta to change the position Gabriel Martinelli plays for Arsenal after seeing the winger score for Brazil against Colombia.
The Selecao fell to a 2-1 defeat against Los Cafeteros in their latest 2026 World Cup qualifier on Thursday. It marked the first time in history that Brazil have lost in back-to-back qualifiers for the FIFA tournament. But one positive to emerge from their game was Martinelli scoring.
Brazil stole the lead when Martinelli broke the deadlock after only four minutes at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Melendez. It marked the Arsenal forward’s first goal with his country through eight caps yet. The clash was also only the 22-year-old’s second international start.
Martinelli is off the mark for Brazil after his goal against Colombia
Martinelli has been a regular part of the Brazil fold since March 2022 owing to his efforts for Arsenal. Tite gave the attacker his senior Selecao debut and also took him to the past World Cup in Qatar. But Tite and his interim replacement, Fernando Diniz, have rarely started him.
Tite gave Martinelli his only previous start in Qatar as the attacker opened Brazil’s defeat to Cameroon. But the Arsenal star showed Brazil what he adds against Colombia as Martinelli got his first international goal involvement. Yet it was not enough to prevent another defeat.
Fans now want to see Martinelli play in a new position at Arsenal
Martinelli bagged his first goal for Brazil after picking the ball up in the Arsenal star’s natural wide-left position. The Guarulhos native then drove forward, before combining with Vinicius Jr. A quick one-two with a cute backheel by Martinelli then put Brazil on the edge of the box.
Vinicius Jr elected to play the ball back into Martinelli as Colombia closed the Brazil and Real Madrid talent down. It proved to be the right decision as, despite slipping, Martinelli fired his shot under Camilo Vargas. The 34-year-old goalkeeper could not get close to his low strike.
Now, some fans on social media have urged Arteta to change the position Martinelli plays at Arsenal after seeing his goal for Brazil against Colombia. They claim the 22-year-old should feature through the centre given Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah’s recent injury problems…
Martinelli has featured 144 times across all competitions since joining Arsenal in July 2019 in a £6m transfer from Ituano. Of those games, Martinelli has played in the position of a striker just 16 times. Those outings further include nine goals, including four braces, and one assist.
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