Arsenal wonder kid Gabriel Martinelli has opened up on the best things about playing for the Gunners – and how “difficult” it is to learn English.
Forward Martinelli has been a rare revelation for the Gunners in a disappointing season, having netted 10 goals in 22 appearances in all competitions.
The 18-year-old, who joined from Ituano in the summer, has bagged on each of his last two Premier League outings and has become a regular in Mikel Arteta’s starting XIs.
But Martinelli has revealed all about his very first day at Arsenal’s training ground London Colney in the summer – and the dream like nature to it.
“The first day I arrived it was very interesting,” Martinelli told Estadao.“I took the photos at the club and went to lunch, it was a very big table. They came to talk to me and I didn’t even know how to answer.
“Then I changed and went to the gym. All the players were there and I thought, ‘My God in heaven, it is a dream to be here with football stars’.
“These are things that inspire me. It’s a dream come true.”
His incredible performances have not gone unnoticed from the fans at the Emirates with a chant already being penned for him.
To the tune of ‘Sugar Sugar’ by the Archies the supporters sing: Gabi, du du du du du du, oh Martinelli, du du du du du du, he comes from Sao Paulo and he plays for Arsenal.”
Martinelli is overjoyed at being the centre of their attention – with it being a far cry from life in Brazil.
He said: “I am very grateful for everything they have done since I arrived at Arsenal. They always send a lot of messages, when I’m at the game they applaud me.
“Some go to the CT door, take pictures at the stadium, after the game. It’s a very good relationship. In Brazil, I played for Ituano and had this notion, but here it is quite different.”
It isn’t all plain sailing for Martinelli, as he struggles to learn a new language.
“I’m learning. In order to speak with teammates, most of them can speak Spanish and I can learn some English.
“But, to give interviews, it is more difficult. I study inside the club, they provide classes. I always try to do it when I’m not traveling because of the games.
“It is undoubtedly one of the most difficult parts because I had never done any English until I got here.”