New Arsenal signing opens up about signing for the Gunners
Gabriel Martinelli expresses his delight at signing for Arsenal this week
Gabriel Martinelli has expressed his delight at becoming Arsenal’s first signing of the summer.
The Gunners confirmed on Tuesday that they had agreed a deal to sign the 18-year-old from Ituano Futebol Clube on a long-term contract after he had been linked with a move to The Emirates earlier this year.
The talented young forward scored 10 goals from his 34 appearances for the Sao Paulo-based club after he made his debut in November 2017 aged just 16 years and nine months.
The teenager becomes Arsenal’s first signing of the summer transfer window as Unai Emery looks to strengthen his squad ahead of his second season in charge at The Emirates.
And Martinelli has expressed his delight at having put pen to paper with the north London side as he prepares for a new chapter in his career.
Speaking in an interview with Arsenal Player, Martinelli said: “It is a dream since I was a child and also my family’s dream for me to be playing in Europe and playing for a big team like Arsenal. I am going to take this opportunity.
“I am very grateful for everything, I am grateful to God and I will try to make the most out of it.”
He added: “I model my game on Cristiano Ronaldo, he is a player who works hard, pushing himself to the next level. Always in the run for titles and individual trophies.”
Arsenal will play in the Europa League next season after they finished in fifth place in the table and without a trophy last term.
The north London side have not won the Premier League title since their famous unbeaten triumph in the 2003-04 campaign under Arsene Wenger.
