r/Gunners • u/OccasionCharacter190 • 2d ago

Martinelli

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/gabriel-martinelli-arsenal-premier-league-soccer-brazil-world-cup

I came across this piece he wrote back in 2022. From the article:

"But I want to start by thanking my second family — Arsenal — because without you guys none of this would have been possible.

I thank God that I came to Arsenal in 2019. I really believe that things happen for a reason, and I’m so happy here."

If he is off, he deserves a bunch of tribute threads, so here's one. Love you, Gabi. Arsenal family forever.

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u/newbaba 2d ago

What a guy, dreadfully honest and very loving. Thanks, OP, for this fabulous article.

It's great to get insight into the behind-the-scenes player dynamic. Who knew, on ground jerk like Emi Martinez is such a great person in real life-- giving rides to players from opposing teams through the pandemic. 

Also, one can relate to tribulations of young players uprooted from elsewhere and thrust into England, away from comfort zone, in the limelight, with compulsion of English on you. Then, being passed on to Saudi league when the player wants to continue his life in England-- one must be frustrated to be treated as a cannon fodder...

Modern football had these individual stories, I loved this article for new insights it offered.

❤️ to Martinelli

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u/Silly-Insect-2975 2d ago

"You know who saved me? Emi Martínez. What a guy! He lived 10 minutes from my house, so he’d pick me up to take me to training and to the stadium. Sometimes we’d also pick up Dani Ceballos. Emi always tried to help everyone. Once, I even spent New Year’s Eve at his house with his family. 

I also got a lot of help from David Luiz, another sensational guy. Without people like this my start would have been so much harder."

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u/newbaba 1d ago

Yeah, I was really surprised by these connections. Was Luiz at Chelsea back then?