Arsenal 21yo to make World Cup start after starring in training | OneFootball

Gabriel Martinelli is impressing in training with Brazil and will start against Cameroon on Friday, according to the media in his home country.

Goal Brasil report that Gabriel Martinelli is putting on a show with his national team in training, scoring plenty of goals and providing assists. Insiders who regularly watch training have been impressed with his performances in the sessions.

According to Goal, Brazil boss Tite has now confirmed that Martinelli will be in the starting lineup against Cameroon on Friday, as his team look to top their group.

Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte are also predicting Martinelli to start, likely with Gabriel Jesus ahead of him.

It would be good to get both players in the team at once, given they’ve built up a connection at Arsenal that they can transfer to the national team. Martinelli’s performances have certainly gone up a level since Jesus came into Mikel Arteta’s side.

On top of that, it would be good from an Arsenal point of view to see the two players getting some practice together in a competitive environment before club football returns later this month.

For Martinelli, this won’t just be his first start at a World Cup, but his first start for the Brazil national team at senior level.

The winger has only previously made four substitute appearances, and his last start in a Brazil shirt was for the u23s in 2021.

That milestone opportunity will bring a lot of pressure with it, but based on past experience, you’d expect the 21-year-old to handle that pretty well.