‘Not surprised’: Joe Cole claims £6m Arsenal star will be benched for entire World Cup

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Joe Cole thinks Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli won’t play as much for Brazil at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as he told Ladbible TV.

The 21-year-old is embarking on his first-ever major tournament, and that the biggest of them all, but Cole feels he will be ‘the star’ at the proceeding World Cup in 2026, not the one set to light up the Middle East during the next six weeks.

Martinelli is still in the early stages of his career, but at the top of his game for an Arsenal side sitting at the top of the Premier League table.

By the time the next World Cup comes around, he will be one of the senior players in a Brazil side that are currently packed with attacking talent.

Cole spoke about how only ‘elite’ players earn caps for the South American giants, especially those dancing with the ball in the forward areas, as he suggested that it’s too early for Martinelli and he could be benched for the entire tournament.

“Playing for Brazil is the one,” said Cole. “You see players get 100 caps for certain countries. But to get a cap for Brazil, especially if you are a forward player. You know straightaway, you are one of the elite players in the world.

“Like Vinicius, Neymar and Jesus. The only one that was a surprise, not a surprise because I love him, but Martinelli. I think they are bringing him, especially since they have eight other forwards, I don’t think he will play much. But I think in the next tournament he could be the star. Neymar is getting on a bit, isn’t he.”

MARTINELLI DESERVES HIS CHANCE

One of the most impressive aspects of Martinelli’s game this season has been his ability to get into goalscoring positions and then score important goals for his side.

The £6 million star (Goal) opened the scoring for his table-topping side when they beat Liverpool this season – it was suggested that was the game that changed Brazil boss Tite’s mind to select Martinelli for the World Cup.

Now it’s a case of the Arsenal man taking his chance when he is going to be handed it in Qatar because there is a serious crop of players in front of him in the attacking pecking order.