Gabriel Martinelli has spoken about his training sessions with Manchester United and meeting Paul Pogba prior to joining Arsenal over the summer from Brazilian outfit Ituano.
The Gunners secured the highly-rated forward's signature ahead of a number on interested clubs, but not before the 18-year-old
Since moving to Arsenal, Martinelli has started to establish himself as a first-team regular having impressed in the club's Europa League and Carabao Cup campaigns. Netting eight goals in all competitions so far this season, he sits only behind Jadon Sancho as the teenager to have contributed the most goals across the top five European leagues.
"There was a project between Ituano and Manchester United, and they always took a player. And I always came for these trips,” he told DAZN, as relayed by Goal.
"Those training days were super important for me to adapt to the style of play, the players and how fast the game is here.”
Martinelli was one of former manager Unai Emery's first signings of the summer, after the club had tracked the player for a number of months. New director of football Edu was pivotal in discussions, using his contacts in Brazil to lure the youngster to the Emirates Stadium. It was a transfer that came about swiftly for Martinelli though, as he revealed how he learnt of the move.
He added: "I remember we played against Guarani, we won 2-1, and my agent called me. He said: ‘You have to decide, so what?’. Then he said it was Arsenal. Then you think, one of the best clubs in Europe. I said yes, I couldn’t refuse.
Martinelli is in line to start his third successive Premier League match this weekend, as struggling Arsenal travel to Goodison Park to take on Everton on Saturday.
Source: 90min
