Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could be without Brazilian starlet Gabriel Martinelli for a portion of the club’s pre-season preparations ahead of the 2021/22 Premier League season.
That is because the versatile forward, who joined the Gunners almost two years ago, could now be called upon to play for Brazil at this summer’s rearranged Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Martinelli was left out of the 18-man squad when it was confirmed earlier this month, despite being originally named on the preliminary 23-man roster, alongside fellow Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhaes.
However, Martinelli could be offered a reprieve and a route back into the squad for this summer’s Games, with it being confirmed by ESPN Brazil that fellow Brazilian striker Pedro, who plays his club football for Flamengo, has not been granted permission to join up with the squad, with Flamengo blocking his path.
Clubs do have the right to refuse players the chance to link-up with their national teams in this particular scenario and Flamengo have done exactly that. Pedro is reportedly keen to represent his country in Tokyo, but his hopes appear to have been shattered.
Faced with Flamengo’s efforts at the Superior Court of Sports Justice, with the club hoping to cancel the athlete’s summons, the Brazilian Confederation understands that their hopes of having Pedro available to them are all-but over.
With Pedro seemingly out of the running, it is quite possible that Brazil could go back on their original decision and reinstate Martinelli to the squad, handing him the opportunity to play for his country in a competitive tournament, something that would make a dream come true for the Arsenal ace.
“I am Brazilian and my dream, of course, is to play for Brazil,” Martinelli told DAZN Brazil last year. “But I could also play for Italy and nothing has been decided. I haven’t received a call from Brazil yet.”
However, if Martinelli was to get the call to replace Pedro in the squad, and Arsenal granted him permission to go to Tokyo, it could have a severe impact on the Gunners’ pre-season preparations.
That is because the Olympics run from July 23 to August 8, almost slap bang in the middle of the Gunners’ pre-season plans. That would mean that Martinelli would miss the Florida Cup, which is being staged between July 25 and July 28. Arsenal are taking part in the pre-season tournament alongside Everton, Inter Milan and Millonarios FC, with the Gunners facing Inter in their semi-final.
Should Martinelli get the call, he would also miss the Gunners’ clashes with Hibernian and Rangers. He may also miss the Mind Series clashes with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur depending on Brazil’s progress at the Olympics.
Brazil have a three-man shortlist for the man to replace Pedro, with the list consisting of Martinelli, International’s Yuri Alberto and Evanilson of FC Porto.
Brazil must confirm their decision by June 30 – next Wednesday.