Brazilian media reacts to Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli’s first start for Brazil at World Cup

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Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli got his first start for Brazil in Friday night’s World Cup meeting with Cameroon.

The Gunners ace has enjoyed a sensational rise to the highest levels of the game this year.

Martinelli is now one of the first names on Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal teamsheet.

His efforts for the Gunners were subsequently rewarded with a call-up to the Brazil squad for Qatar.

Martinelli made his Selecao debut earlier this year, coming on against Chile in a World Cup qualifier in March.

And last week, the 21-year-old made his first World Cup appearance as a substitute against Serbia.

Martinelli then sat out the win over Switzerland as Brazil made it two wins out of two in their group.

With qualification already secured, Selecao boss Tite gave the Arsenal ace his first start for his nation in their final group game.

And Martinelli impressed despite the much-changed Brazil team falling to a late 1-0 defeat against Cameroon.

‘Best in Brazil’

The Brazilian media liked what they saw from the Gunners prodigy.

Jogada 10 gave Martinelli a 7.5 out of 10 rating and deemed him the best player for his nation.

‘Best in Brazil on the pitch,’ they wrote.

‘He was the author of the most dangerous submissions of the Brazilian team and showed that he can be used more.’

Correio Braziliense also went with 7.5 out of 10.

‘The highlight of the last Brazilian performance in the group stage,’ they wrote.

‘The quality of dribbling, speed and finishing power drew attention.

‘He created chances down the left and almost scored a great goal with a placed kick.’

Globo, meanwhile, went with a very respectable 7 out of 10 rating for Martinelli.

‘He had a good first half,’ they wrote. ‘In a header and in a finish in which he sewed all of Cameroon’s defense to the middle, he made Brazil’s main finishes.

‘He also started and tried to find Jesus in the middle in a good attempt on the left.

‘(Martinelli) lost his boot on another ball that ended in Antony’s submission.

‘He finished perfectly from the angle, but the goalkeeper made another great save at the start of the second half.’