Gabriel Martinelli reveals he had many trials at Manchester United at youth level, only for the Red Devils to decide against signing him.
Gabriel Martinelli announced himself in the Premier League with a huge equaliser for Arsenal against Chelsea after Mikel Arteta’s appointment as manager. Before that, the Brazilian used to regularly score in cup competitions, but it is under the Spaniard that he continues to blossom into a world-beater.
Martinelli has cemented his place in Arsenal’s front three this season, often juggling with Emile Smith Rowe for the left-side spot. Arteta has preferred to start him over the England international in recent months, and the attacker has repaid the faith with some thrilling performances.
He is expected to form a key part of Arteta’s team from here on, as bright things are expected from the attacker. Some have already tipped him to become the next ‘Thierry Henry’, although he has a long way to go before coming closer to the iconic Frenchman.
Arsenal are already making further plans to secure the futures of key men at the club, including Martinelli and Arteta, who will be offered a new deal. The Brazilian, alongside Smith Rowe, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, are considered the torchbearers for the future.
Martinelli, however, could have been playing for of Arsenal’s rivals Manchester United had the Red Devils decided to sign him at youth level. The Brazilian revealed to The Athletic how he had at least four trials with the Mancunian giants, only for the them to decide against signing the winger.
Martinelli said, “I actually had four different trials at United when I was 13, 14, 15 and 16. This was in Manchester at the club’s training base, where I played in the same age group as Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams.
“I met first-team players, like Zlatan (Ibrahimovic), Paul Pogba, Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra. There was never a moment, though, when they said they wanted me (to sign) there. But it give me a taste and made the adaptation a little easier because I had experienced football in England. Even after those trials, I always believed in myself. My mind is always thinking, ‘I can do it.'”
Considering how well Martinelli has progressed at Arsenal in recent months, it would be safe to say that Manchester United made an error of judgement by passing up on the chance to sign him after having him on trial on many occasions.
