Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli has been left out of Brazil's squad for the September international break with just two months until the 2022 World Cup starts.
Martinelli has scored three goals in his opening seven appearances for the Gunners this season and has nailed down a starting spot alongside Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka in attack. Emile Smith Rowe's return from injury has not seen the Brazilian winger drop out of the side, highlighting his impact on Mikel Arteta's side.
Arsenal's Brazilian trio of Martinelli, Jesus and Gabriel Magalhaes have all been left out of Tite's latest Brazil squad which may come as a blow for the former's World Cup chances in November. The talented winger had revealed his target was to feature for Brazil in Qatar later this year, but despite his impressive form he has not been selected for the internationals later this month.
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Speaking to Ian Wright's podcast 'Wrighty's House', Martinelli opened up on his World Cup ambitions and the role his dad has played in helping him meet his personal targets. The 21-year-old said: "Since I was 7, when I started football, my dad said ‘when you turn 21 we’ll have the World Cup & you will play’.
"Every single day he was like 2022 we’re gonna have the World Cup. At that point, he didn’t know I was going to be a footballer.”
With time running out before the World Cup kicks off in Qatar later this year, Martinelli has failed to feature in the final international break before the tournament gets underway in November. Tite may still change his plans ahead of the World Cup to involve the Arsenal talent and it could see Martinelli up his game to a new level.
Whilst it could come as a boost for the Gunners if their Brazilian winger does not play in the World Cup with a hectic period of fixtures set to come after its conclusion, starting with the return of the Premier League on Boxing Day. Martinelli may now increase the level of his performances in a last-ditch effort to force his way into Tite's plans, which would help the Gunners continue to challenge at the top of the Premier League table.
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