PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gabriel Teodoro Martinelli Silva |
| Date of Birth | 18/06/2001 (Age: 25) |
| Place of Birth | Guarulhos, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Height | 1.80 m / 5 ft 11 in |
| Weight | 75 kg |
| Position | Forward / Left Winger |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #11 |
| Current Club | Arsenal |
| Previous Clubs | Ituano |
| International Caps | 27 |
| International Goals | 5 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2022, 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2027 |
The Frozen Moment
The stoppage-time winner against Japan will be etched in Brazilian football history. Gabriel Martinelli, who had entered as a substitute in the 66th minute, ghosted into the box, met a cross, and fired Brazil into the Round of 16. It was the moment his World Cup changed.
“He plays with great intensity,” Carlo Ancelotti said after the match. “He really helped the team by scoring, and with him on the pitch, Vinicius Jr had much more space and became a constant threat.”
For Martinelli, the goal was the culmination of a journey that began on the futsal courts of Corinthians. He had scored 222 goals across all age groups for the club, an astonishing feat that announced his prodigious talent. He had been on Arsenal’s radar for years, signed for a bargain €5 million, and transformed into one of the most reliable forwards in the Premier League.
The dream of winning a World Cup is still alive. And Martinelli is determined to be a key part of it.
Origins
Gabriel Martinelli was born in Guarulhos, Brazil, on June 18, 2001. His football journey began on the futsal courts of Corinthians, where he joined at the age of six. In his first season, he scored 66 goals in the metropolitan league and 56 in the state league. He was a phenomenon. He scored 222 goals across all age groups for the club.
“Gabriel joined the Corinthians when he was six years old and stayed until he was 13 or 14. He played futsal with us the whole time before moving to the full-size pitch. As well as winning lots of titles, he was the top scorer in every age group,” recalled Daniel Magalhaes, his youth coach at Corinthians.
He was exceptionally fast for futsal, a quality that made him stand out. The futsal background instilled in him a close control, quick decision-making, and an instinct for goal.
At 14, Martinelli’s family moved to Itu, where he joined Ituano’s academy. His former U-15 coach, Thiago Badari, remembers a player who was “miles ahead of the others.” In his first season, he scored 15 goals in 16 games.
Manchester United monitored him closely and invited him for training camps. But the move that changed his career came from Arsenal.
The European Forge
In July 2019, Arsenal signed Martinelli for a fee of around €5 million. The plan was for him to start with the U-23s, but Unai Emery was so impressed by his performances in pre-season that he brought him into the first team immediately.
His debut season was a revelation. He scored 10 goals and was voted Arsenal’s Goal of the Season for a stunning solo effort against Chelsea. He won the FA Cup in 2020 and the Community Shield in 2023.
The 2022-23 season was his breakthrough. He scored 15 Premier League goals, equalling Roberto Firmino’s record for goals by a Brazilian in a single Premier League campaign. His partnership with Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard defined Arsenal’s attack.
In 2025-26, he was a key player in Arsenal’s Premier League title-winning campaign. He made 53 appearances, scoring 7 goals and providing 11 assists across all competitions. In the Champions League, he scored 6 goals and provided 2 assists in 14 appearances. He helped Arsenal reach the Champions League final.
“Success has never gone to his head,” said Edu, the former Arsenal technical director who signed him. “Gabriel is the kind of player who’ll help you in any situation, in any position. He’s always ready, and he always delivers.”
The Anatomy of His Game
Martinelli is a forward defined by his pace, intensity, and versatility. At 25, he has become a complete attacker.
In possession
, his dribbling and direct running are his greatest weapons. He is equally comfortable cutting inside from the left onto his right foot or going to the byline. In the 2025-26 Champions League, he completed 36 dribbles and had 11 carries in the attacking third. His passing accuracy in the Champions League was 90.37%, and he created 22 passes into key areas. His pace is exceptional; in the Champions League, he reached a top speed of 36.4 km/h.
Out of possession
, his intensity is a defining feature. He presses relentlessly and contributes defensively, often dropping deep to help his full-back. In the Champions League, he made 17 ball recoveries.
His versatility
is a major asset. He can play as a left winger, centre-forward, or right winger. His ability to adapt to different positions has made him a key part of Ancelotti’s Brazil setup.
His weakness
has been his consistency. He scored 15 Premier League goals in 2022-23 but followed up with 4 in 2023-24 and 1 in 2025-26. However, his overall contribution—assists, pressing, and creating space for teammates—makes him invaluable.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 30 | 1,081 | 1 | 4 | — |
| Champions League | 14 | 701 | 6 | 2 | 7.53 |
| Total (All Comps) | 53 | 2,395 | 7 | 11 | — |
TABLE B: Career Stats (Arsenal)
| Season | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 26 | 10 | 6 |
| 2020-21 | 22 | 2 | 2 |
| 2021-22 | 36 | 6 | 6 |
| 2022-23 | 46 | 15 | 5 |
| 2023-24 | 43 | 8 | 8 |
| 2024-25 | 51 | 10 | 6 |
| 2025-26 | 53 | 7 | 11 |
| Total | 277 | 58 | 44 |
TABLE C: International Career (as of 2026)
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Senior Caps | 27 |
| Senior Goals | 5 |
| Debut | 2022 |
| World Cups | 2022, 2026 |
| World Cup Goals | 1 |
| Olympic Gold Medal | 2020 Tokyo |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Arsenal Move | Signed from Ituano for €5m |
| 2020 | Olympic Gold Medalist | Won with Brazil U23 |
| 2022 | World Cup Debut | Qatar 2022 |
| 2023 | Premier League Record | 15 goals in a season |
| 2026 | Premier League Winner | Won with Arsenal |
| 2026 | World Cup Hero | Stoppage-time winner vs Japan |
What these figures reveal is a player who has been a consistent performer at the highest level for six seasons. He has won the Premier League, the FA Cup, and an Olympic gold medal. He has played in two World Cups and has been a key player for Arsenal and Brazil.
The Present Tense
The 2026 World Cup has been a story of redemption for Martinelli. After a limited role in Qatar 2022, he arrived in North America as a key part of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad.
His tournament has been defined by his impact off the bench. He came on as a substitute against Japan and scored the stoppage-time winner that sent Brazil through. He was rewarded with a starting spot in the Round of 16 against Norway.
Ronaldinho, the Brazil legend, publicly backed him before the Norway clash, posting on social media: “Another decisive match! Good luck and let’s go for it, Brazil!”
His future at Arsenal is secure. He signed a new long-term contract in 2023 and is a key member of the squad. He has been a consistent performer for the club, and his goal contributions have been vital to their success.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Martinelli is known for his humility and his relentless work ethic. Edu, the former Arsenal technical director, praised his character: “He’s incredibly level-headed, whether he’s starting or on the bench; whether he’s the star man and everyone is talking about him, or no-one is talking about him. He conducts himself well in every situation.”
He is a proud representative of Brazil, and his journey from the futsal courts to the World Cup is an inspiration to many. His connection to his roots remains strong.
His family has been a constant presence. His father was a key influence in his development, and his mother’s support has been unwavering.
The Verdict from the Camp
Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil head coach:
“He plays with great intensity. He really helped the team by scoring, and with him on the pitch, Vinicius Jr had much more space and became a constant threat.”
Edu, former Arsenal technical director:
“Success has never gone to his head. Gabriel is the kind of player who’ll help you in any situation, in any position. He’s always ready, and he always delivers.”
Daniel Magalhaes, former Corinthians youth coach:
“Gabriel joined the Corinthians when he was six years old and stayed until he was 13 or 14. He played futsal with us the whole time before moving to the full-size pitch. As well as winning lots of titles, he was the top scorer in every age group.”
Where Next?
Gabriel Martinelli is 25 years old and at the peak of his powers. He is a Premier League winner, an FA Cup winner, an Olympic gold medalist, and a World Cup hero. He has scored over 60 goals for Arsenal and has become a key player for Brazil.
His legacy is already secure. He is the player who was signed for €5 million and became a Premier League champion. He is the player who scored 15 goals in a single Premier League season, equalling a Brazilian record. He is the player who scored the stoppage-time winner that sent Brazil into the Round of 16.
