Gabriel Martinelli's 20th birthday celebrations didn't get off to the best of starts, but there is a silver lining.
Last month, it was announced that the forward and defender Gabriel Magalhaes had been named in Brazil's provisional 23-man squad for this summer's rearranged Olympic Games in Tokyo.
However, when the squad was cut to 18 on Thursday, there was only room for one of Arsenal's Brazilians.
And, in perhaps a rather surprising decision, it is Martinelli who has been left out, meaning he misses out on the chance to represent his nation as they look to defend their Olympic Gold.
Whilst this is a big blow for Martinelli who had set his sights on featuring in Tokyo, the announcement does provide him with a dream scenario.
Barring an undisclosed injury blow, the 20-year-old can use this snub to force his way into Mikel Arteta's core group of Arsenal undroppables for next season.
As the event is penciled in to get underway on Thursday, July 22, and run to Saturday, August 7, it means he will be available for all of the Gunners' pre-season preparations.
Furthermore, given the 2021/22 Premier League campaign starts on August 14 against Brentford, if Brazil go deep in the tournament Martinelli would have risked missing the first few weeks of the new season if he was selected.
This is because players usually get time off after an international tournament.
But with Martinelli set to get another full pre-season under his belt, it could boost his chances of being involved for games against Chelsea and Manchester City in August.
Having struggled for game time since returning from a long-term knee injury, potentially missing the start of next season may have harmed Martinelli's chances of becoming a regular under Mikel Arteta.
The Arsenal manager has often faced questions about Martinelli and has already offered an insight in regards to his plans for the Brazilian next season.
"Very close," said the Gunners boss when asked how far he was from a regular place in the team. "And he needs to keep fighting to be closer and closer."
