Arsenal have a varied track record when it comes to Brazilian players. The likes of Edu and Gilberto Silva were part of the 2003/04 “Invincibles” squad, while Sylvinho also impressed in the early 2000s.
However, there are some who did not take to North London quite as well as that trio. Andre Santos and Denilson made more than 100 appearances between them, but their stints at the club have largely been forgotten.
Not that the Gunners have been deterred from taking players from the football hotbed. Pablo Marí arrived in January on loan from Brazilian side Flamengo, which followed the acquisition of Gabriel Martinelli last summer.
So might the Gunners delve into the Brazilian market again in an attempt to unearth more unpolished gems like Martinelli? It seems so.
They could employ a similar strategy with linked teenager Gabriel Veron as they did with Martinelli, who came from provincial club Ituano.
He was an unknown quantity when signed, but has since been developed into a top-flight striker in his short time at the Emirates.
Of course, Veron is by no means an unknown quantity. He was named Player of the Tournament at the 2019 Under-17s World Cup, where he scored three goals and also notched two assists.
He is currently at Palmeiras, one of Brazil’s bigger clubs, and would command a bigger fee than Arsenal may be willing to spend on a 17-year-old.
With money a concern, the Gunners could be looking for potential free agents this summer, and a Brazilian who could fit the bill is AS Monaco centre-back Jemerson.
The 27-year-old’s contract is set to expire, so a switch to North London could be in the offing if Marí’s loan spell is not made permanent.
Equally, the club could travel down the tried and tested route. Chelsea are standing firm on their refusal to offer Willian a new three-year contract, and the 31-year-old seems intent on staying in London where he and his family are settled.
Arsenal have been linked with a move for the winger in recent weeks and would be able to sign him on a free transfer this summer.
In midfield, ex-Fiorentina man Gerson could follow in the footsteps of Edu and Gilberto by pulling on a Gunners shirt.
The 22-year-old is back in his home country with Flamengo, winning the Brasileirão and Copa Libertadores with them over the past 12 months, but has attracted interest from Arsenal, according to the player’s father.
