Gabriel Martinelli is a star for Arsenal and we’re all so glad he plays for us, but things would’ve been very different if Manchester United’s recruitment team was a bit better.
The young Brazilian joined us in 2019 from fourth-tier Brazilian side Ituano. Nobody really expected anything big when the transfer was announced, but little did we know we had snapped up one of the best young players in world football.
Martinelli says ‘thank God’ he’s at Arsenal and not Manchester United
Before joining Arsenal three years ago, Martinelli was invited for trials at both Manchester United and Barcelona.
They are definitely among the two biggest clubs in the world, and Martinelli, like any other young player, would’ve loved the opportunity to sign for either of them when he spent time there.
However, both United and Barca decided to reject him, leaving young Martinelli heartbroken. It was only a couple of years later that we signed him, and he says now that he’s extremely thankful that things worked out the way they did and he’s at Arsenal – not Manchester United.
The Brazilian wrote for The Players’ Tribune: “I thank God that I came to Arsenal in 2019. I really believe that things happen for a reason, and I’m so happy here. It’s funny to look back now, because I could so easily have ended up somewhere else.
“You see, I used to be part of this project at Manchester United. I was actually there for several trials. I even met many of the senior players. When I was 17, I had my last session there, so I went back to Brazil, waiting for news. “One day my dad called me into the living room. He had spoken to my agent and … well, United had said no.
“Not just, ‘No, for this year.’ But, ‘No, we don’t want him. At all.’ To be honest, I was shaken. They had seen me play several times, and I was sure they were going to sign me, you know?”
The Insider’s View:
When he was on trial at Manchester United a few years ago, Martinelli definitely wasn’t the player he is today. However, we’re not quite sure how the scouts at Old Trafford didn’t see his potential.
Manchester United fans have a lot of reasons to be upset about their board and recruitment team, and missing out on a player like Martinelli after watching him play on numerous occasions is right up there with their worst decisions.
Thankfully, their loss proved to be our gain. Martinelli is a star at the Emirates now and he’s one of the biggest reasons why we’re on top of the Premier League table.
Hopefully, he’ll sign a new deal and continue his progression at Arsenal.
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