Gabriel Martinelli passes the Brazil audition and is in line for a permanent switch to Arsenal.

Gabriel Martinelli, an Arsenal player, won plaudits from the Brazilian media following his first goal for his senior team in their 2-1 loss to Colombia.

Many Arsenal supporters were aware that Gabriel Martinelli scored his first goal for Brazil in the wee hours of Friday (UK time) while playing as a central striker.

As Richarlison was out due to injury and Gabriel Jesus was unable to play due to a hamstring strain since October 24th, the Gunners’ number 11 was given the chance to start for the Selecao in the World Cup qualifier against Colombia.

After just four minutes, Martinelli broke the tie by finishing off Vinicius Junior’s cut back inside the penalty area to give Brazil the lead. Despite the fact that the visitors were defeated, media outlet Globo Esporte was extremely impressed with Martinelli’s performance, repaying Fernando Diniz’s faith right away.

“He scored for the first time in his eighth game wearing the Seleção shirt – only his second as a starter,” they wrote, giving him a 7/10 rating. Not just because of his goal, he was among the best in Brazil.”

It should go without saying that some Arsenal fans are discussing Martinelli’s center forward role on social media. The Brazilian has primarily played from the left wing at Emirates Stadium, with the exception of a few games in which he was the right side of a three-man attack.

He has, nevertheless, proven that he can play down the middle for Brazil. This won’t come as a shock to Mikel Arteta, who previously stated that he intended to try Martinelli at both attack and center of the field against Newcastle United at the end of the 2020–21 campaign.

They all performed really well, in my opinion. Gabi gets better every week. In the press conference following the game, the Spaniard stated, “He’s using his minutes wisely. “He’s progressing as we all think he can. He attempted to play him as a no. 9 today, and he also had an assist and some strong moments on the left.

“We’ll see in time. However, I believe he has the ability to excel in both roles, so I would like to see him develop in both.”

It’s interesting to note that when Jesus injuredly returned from World Cup duty less than a year ago, Arteta did have the option to use Martinelli as a striker. Eddie Nketiah ultimately benefited, but the change was not feasible because there were not enough available wingers at the time, as Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson were injured.

In the present, Martinelli has had chances to start at the front for Arsenal due to Jesus’ absence in recent weeks, but he has performed admirably out wide and Nketiah and Leandro Trossard appear to be above him in the pecking order.

Nevertheless, given what the 22-year-old has previously stated regarding his preferred position, it might require Arteta to make a complete 180-degree turnabout or some very strong persuasion on the part of Gunners supporters in order to fulfill their desire for a long-term role change for the Brazil international.

Last year, in an interview with Globo Esporte, Martinelli stated, “I prefer to play on the sides, specifically the left side.” However, I also enjoy packing in a lot.

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