Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit has claimed that Gabriel Martinelli shouldn't be involved in the Brazil squad next month for the World Cup. The 21-year-old has received one call-up for the national side but wasn't part of their latest international break back in September.
That said, he will certainly be looking to force himself into consideration, with his recent form at the start of the season speaking for itself. Martinelli has scored four and assisted twice in the opening nine Premier League games, helping guide the side to the top of the table.
His most recent performance against Liverpool showed that he could play against the big sides, wreaking havoc to any and all defenders who tried to stop him. "He's a great player," Mikel Arteta said in a performance review. "I think today he had an outstanding performance against a top defender and a top team, and he made a difference in the game as well as the other players. That's the next level, to step up in these games and make things happen to win it."
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As the youngster continues to shine, he will be hopeful of making a big push towards the national team squad for the upcoming World Cup. Martinelli had said that winning the competition was one of his big dreams, with plenty backing the side in yellow to do just that in Qatar.
However, despite his form, Petit believes it could be too soon for the winger to be involved in the squad, telling Genting Casino: "Brazil played against Tunisia and Ghana and won both games, and of course, Martinelli wasn't in the squad. I think it's too early for him as there are players with more experience who are more efficient than him.
"We're in the middle of October, and the list will be done in early November. He's having a great season, but is it enough to go to the World Cup? This is Brazil. If he keeps on going in the form he's in, he will be part of it, but I think it's too early."
It remains to be seen if he can force his way into the squad, but his current form suggests he could be within a shout of featuring at the World Cup amongst some of the biggest names in the sport.
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