“Wasn’t Where I Was Supposed To Be” – Arsenal Star Reflects On Failed Man Utd Trial

By The Editor
on 15th February 2024

Gabriel Martinelli went on a few trials at Old Trafford…

Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli hasn’t lost too much sleep over his failure to secure a move to Manchester United during his teenage years after completing several trials at Old Trafford, ESPN Brazil reports.

Martinelli revealed that he went to Manchester on a trial on four separate occasions between the ages 13 and 16, with the Red Devils choosing against offering him a deal.

The 22-year-old would eventually join Arsenal just shy of his 18th birthday as former scout Francis Cagigao and Edu collaborated to conjure up a £6 million deal from Ituano.

It has transpired to be, pound-for-pound, one of the best deals in the club’s history with Martinelli establishing himself as one of Europe’s premier wide-men.

ESPN Brazil quizzed the forward on whether he ever contemplates how life would’ve been at Manchester United, but Martinelli simply put it down to fate as to how he ended up in north London.

“I expected…when you take a test you think it will work,” Martinelli was quoted as saying.

“And in a club the size of Manchester, it makes you anxious. But things happen for a reason. That wasn’t where I was supposed to be, it was at Arsenal. And everything worked out for me to go to Arsenal”, Martinelli added.

Martinelli was rewarded for his form last season with a lucrative new deal as Mikel Arteta aims to win the biggest trophies with this young team that he’s configured.

While Man United’s success in the past cannot be denied, Martinelli will certainly be content with how his career panned out as the Brazilian is now at a club challenging at the top of English and European football.

After a slow start to the season, Martinelli has netted three times in our last four games since returning from our winter break and is hopefully reaching his peak level at the right time.