The Arsenal talent made his Premier League debut earlier this season.
Gabriel Martinelli has admitted to Arsenal’s official website that he was shocked when Unai Emery gave him a Premier League debut earlier this season.
The 18-year-old Brazilian joined the Gunners in a £6 million deal this past summer but propelled himself into the fans’ hearts with a series of glittering pre-season displays.
So when the Premier League season began, Arsenal boss Emery didn’t hesitate to throw him into the mix and the teenager earned six minutes in the win at Newcastle on the opening day of the season.
And the former Ituano starlet admits that he couldn’t believe it when the Spanish manager beckoned him over to make an appearance.
He told Arsenal’s website: “When he called me over from the bench, I couldn’t believe it was me he was pointing at!
“When I realised it was me, my heart-rate skyrocketed but then as soon as I stepped out on the pitch, I was calm. It was like second nature.”
Martinelli has only earned about 40 minutes of Premier League action since, with the lesser competitions being his main stage in which to shine on this season.
Tonight, he is likely to play a role in Arsenal’s Europa League clash with Vitoria at the Emirates, having scored twice in the last group game against Standard Liege earlier this month.
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