Just Now:Martinelli fires heartfelt message to Vieira as Arsenal position feelings made clear

Gabriel Martinelli dedicated his first goal for Brazil to Arsenal team-mate Fabio Vieira who recently became a father. Despite his country suffering defeat to Colombia, it will undoubtedly have been a proud day for Martinelli who netted his first senior international goal with a calm sliding finish from close-range to initially put Brazil ahead.

Unfortunately for him, a late brace from Luis Diaz handed Colombia the win with an emotional week for the Liverpool star ending in joy days after his Dad was released by rebels who had held him hostage for 12 days. With Neymar Jr, Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus all missing the game through injury, Martinelli started in a makeshift attack with Real Madrid duo Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo up top flanked by the Arsenal man and Raphinha.

With the attacking pair an unorthodox centre-forward partnership, Martinelli was able to find the spaces made by their movement, as he does when in attack with Jesus at Arsenal, which allowed him to give Brazil the lead. After celebrating with his international team-mates, Martinelli looked down the lens of the camera placing one hand on top of the other in a C shape.

Perhaps an inside joke with the pair, Vieira posted to Instagram sharing the photo of Martinelli's celebration with the caption: "Direito a dedicatario do tio [laughing face and blue heart emoji]". In English that translates to, "Uncle’s dedication right now."

In the lead up to the clash, amid Brazil's injury worries in attack, Martinelli was captured playing down the middle for his country in training. One run particularly caught the eye where the 22-year-old picked up the ball from deep and drove into the space, using his speed to bypass three opponents in the small-sided game.

Arteta deploying Martinelli in the false 9 role could certainly become an option with Leandro Trossard's versatility also making him a suitable choice. In the absence of Eddie Nketiah, who had replaced Jesus in the starting XI, the Belgium international picked up two goals and one assist from his two starts in the position in wins over Sevilla and Burnley.

Every Trossard goal for Arsenal has been assisted by Bukayo Saka which makes it difficult to justify breaking up their partnership. In the Champions League triumph, Martinelli also picked up an assist after causing countless problems for his marker when playing out wide.

While having Martinelli as another option at the tip of attack, his qualities, as evidenced by his goal for Brazil, are better-suited starting out wide before drifting into the pockets. The return of Jesus is therefore likely to benefit him most with the former Manchester City man keen to drop deep in search of the ball which then allows Martinelli to find the space and make runs in behind.