REVEALED: Arsenal scout discusses process of signing Gabriel Martinelli

Posted Friday, April 24, 2020 by Tribalfootball.com

One of Arsenal's South American scouts has revealed how the club found Gabriel Martinelli.

The teenager was playing for Brazilian fourth division side Ituano before being scooped up by the Gunners last summer.

Martinelli has enjoyed a stellar debut season in North London, and supporters can hear from scout Johnathan Vidalle how the club recognised his talents.

Vidalle told the Arsenal en América podcast: "We have a scout in Brazil, he told me about Gabriel. Later Francis Cagigao asked for my opinion and I traveled to Brazil to see him.

"Everton Gushiken liked him, he had some doubts about some characteristics, he didn't know if he could make it in the Premier League, but they were normal doubts, about his mentality. I travelled to see him. We try to see players live on the pitch and I liked him.

"Obviously he was playing in a fourth tier team, Ituano, but he was competing against Palmeiras in the Paulista championship. I went to see him against Santos and against Ponte Preta.

"I was surprised by the mentality he has, how competitive he was. Gabriel played as a winger, always played as a winger.

"I was impressed by his ability to repeat efforts and not only in the attacking part of the pitch, he helped with the left back, which is a bit what he has done now at Arsenal, and he finished those sprints with the same speed and lucidity with which he started.

"Like in the goal against Chelsea, he had a little luck because the defender slipped, but he finished well.

"That competitiveness and that way of working are important for the Premier League, especially for the wingers, who have to be fast and help on the defensive side.

"The Premier League is very difficult, it is difficult to adapt to. We knew that winger is his position, but as false 9 he moves very well. Not only was he up to the level of Arsenal, he scored goals, and for a striker that is essential."

The 18-year-old has scored 10 goals for 26 total appearances this season.