Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli scored for Brazil in their shock 3-2 defeat to Japan in an international friendly.
Brazil were 2-0 up in the fixture before former Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino clawed one back to open the floodgates.
Japan turned the game on its head in the second half to the dismay of Arsenal’s two players named in the squad, Gabriel Magalhaes and Martinelli.
Martinelli scored in the 32nd minute with a tidy finish after some impressive control, latching onto the end of Lucas Paqueta’s chipped ball into the box.
It was Martinelli’s first goal for Brazil in over a year, as Carlo Ancelotti showed trust in the Arsenal winger to start the game.
Gabriel Magalhaes rested in Brazil friendly vs Japan
Martinelli being on target wasn’t the only positive from the match, as Gabriel was rested, not coming off the bench to feature.
It’s positive news for Mikel Arteta, as Arsenal have been wary of Gabriel’s workload after undergoing surgery earlier this year to resolve a hamstring tear.
Martinelli was also used sparingly, being taken off shortly after the restart, giving the 24-year-old time to rest.
Back in North London, Arteta will be overjoyed to have his two players returning unscathed ahead of a busy run-in of fixtures for Arsenal.
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