Arsenal new signing Gabriel Martinelli sent Chelsea warning following transfer
GABRIEL MARTINELLI will have to hit the ground running at Arsenal or risk failing to fulfil his potential, claims Brazilian football expert Robbie Blakeley.
The 18-year-old striker had a trial at Manchester United a couple of years ago but decided not to pursue a move for the youngster.
Martinelli took part in Arsenal’s first training session of pre-season on Saturday, suggesting he could be a part of Unai Emery’s first-team plans for the upcoming campaign.
Blakeley believes getting early exposure at Arsenal, or potentially a loan elsewhere, could prove vital for Martinelli’s progress.
We’ve seen it with other big names, such as Lucas Piazon from Sao Paulo who went to Chelsea and never really got a proper chance
Robbie Blakeley on new Arsenal signing Gabriel Martinelli
Blakeley compared the situation to another Brazilian in Lucas Piazon, who joined Chelsea in 2012 but has made just three first-team appearances for the Blues.
Piazon is still a Chelsea player but has been out on loan seven times.
“All I can really say is he is someone with a huge amount of potential,” Blakeley said of Martinelli on Love Sport Radio.
“But he doesn’t really have a big name in Brazil.
Gabriel Martinelli has been warned to not turn out like Chelsea ace Lucas Piazon at Arsenal (Image: GETTY)
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Gabriel Martinelli joined Arsenal from Brazilian side Ituano (Image: GETTY)
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“He hasn’t made his name at one of the bigger clubs.
“So I think a lot of it will depend on his adaptation to life in England and whether he can hit the ground running.
“We’ve seen it with other big names, such as Lucas Piazon from Sao Paulo who went to Chelsea and never really got a proper chance.
“So Martinelli will need, whether to go out on loan or to play regular football as early as he can at Arsenal.