Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has been cleared to join up with the Brazil national squad despite missing the Gunners' weekend victory over Aston Villa.
Martinelli was one of two late omissions from the squad which won 1-0 at Villa Park, with Aaron Ramsdale the other. However, while Ramsdale has pulled out of the England squad with a hip problem, Martinelli's positive Covid test hasn't prevented him linking up with Tite's squad.
The 20-year-old has shared an image of himself making the trip to South America, where he will be part of the set-up for two World Cup qualfiiers, with the caption "Dia inesquecível" ["unforgettable day"]. Brazil will host Chile on March 24, before an away game in Bolivia five days later, and it's just the latest step forward for a young talent who has proved himself to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta after a spell away from the first team.
The Selecao have already booked their spot at the World Cup in Qatar, and are favourites to finish top of the South American qualifying table after going 15 games unbeaten in qualifying. This has given Tite the chance to hand opportunities to a number of less experienced internationals, though Martinelli is the only uncapped player involved.
Alex Telles' performances for Manchester United have earned him a recall, while Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United has a chance to add to his four caps. Other Premier League representatives include Alisson, Ederson, Thiago Silva, Philippe Coutinho, Fred, Fabinho and Richarlison.
Martinelli's Arsenal teammate Gabriel Magalhaes was also in the original squad, along with Leeds United star Raphinha. However, both players were forced to withdraw - Raphinha due to Covid and Gabriel due to the impending birth of his child.
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Martinelli has scored five times in the Premier League this season, a personal record in the competition, to help Arsenal mount a challenge for fourth place. Despite the forward's absence over the weekend, Mikel Arteta's side remain three points clear of their nearest challengers with a game in hand.
"Gabi has shown big signs of where he's moving," Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said on the day the youngster earned his call. "Certainly the capacity that he has to score goals and be a threat in the final third and I think his contribution all round in his game has been exceptional."
The Arsenal forward was one of three Premier League representatives as Brazil's under-23 squad claimed gold at the Olympics in Japan, alongside Everton forward Richarlison and Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz, while Gabriel Magalhaes made the original squad before withdrawing through injury. Martinelli didn't score at the tournament, but was involved in the group stage games against Cote d'Ivoire and Saudi Arabia before coming off the bench in the semi-final victory over Mexico.
