Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli scored and played 57 minutes for Brazil as Carlo Ancelotti’s side lost to Japan in a friendly on Tuesday.
The South American nation were beaten 3-2 by the Asian side, with goals from Takumi Minamino, Keito Nakamura and Ayase Ueda cancelling out strikes from the Gunners forward and Paulo Henrique.
Ancelotti named a largely second-string eleven for the trip to Chofu after having played a strong team in Brazil’s 5-0 win over South Korea on Friday.
The Italian’s team have already qualified for next summer’s World Cup, and thus he is attempting to fine-tune his system as he takes a look at a number of players in these warm-up matches.
Brazilian media react to Gabriel Martinelli’s performance vs Japan
Martinelli has been a regular under Ancelotti for Brazil since the veteran manager replaced Dorival Junior.
However, the 24-year-old was left unused on the bench against South Korea, and may have subsequently been feeling concerned about his status in the five-time World Cup winners’ squad ahead of next summer.
That said, he was granted an opportunity from the start to showcase his talent against Japan. Deployed in a front three alongside Henrique and Vinicius Junior, Martinelli scored excellently just after the 30-minute mark.
Latching on to a clipped ball over the top by Lucas Paqueta, he slammed home on his weaker left foot, beyond the outstretched Zion Suzuki.
Brazilian media outlet Globo Esporte were full of praise for Martinelli, awarding him 7.5/10 in their player ratings: “He seized another chance as a starter and scored his third goal for the national team. Open on the left, he attempted one-twos with Vini Júnior, but completed only four of his eight passes in the attacking half.
“Another player who came off in the first round of substitutions at the start of the second half.”
Gabriel Magalhaes was an unused substitute in Tokyo.
Mikel Arteta will be delighted that Gabriel Martinelli ‘seized’ his chance for Brazil
Martinelli has too often let opportunities pass him by in an Arsenal shirt.
The Brazil international has consistently been granted minutes by Mikel Arteta, despite being out of form and often due to injuries, and he’s failed to capitalise.
However, the pacy wide man has found the back of the net twice off the bench so far this season, demonstrating that he can be a good impact player.
Furthermore, Globo Esporte claiming that he ‘seized’ his chance in a yellow shirt is another indication that he’s showing responsibility and taking the opportunities when they come.
This will undoubtedly have delighted an on-watching Arteta.
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