Arsenal summer signing Gabriel Martinelli has already made an impact for the Gunners on their pre-season tour of the USA.
Even before joining the club, he was named as a player on Edu Gaspar's radar, the former Invincibles midfielder who had worked as General Coordinator for the Brazilian national team prior to returning to north London to take on the role of Technical DIrector.
However, he wasn't the only former Gunner with a connection to the teenager from Ituano. Arsene Wenger's final captain, now academy manager at London Colney, Per Mertesacker also had a link to the forward.
Speaking to in an , Ituano manager Vinicius Bergantin spoke about the youngster's immense potential and the strong mentality that should serve him well in the Premier League.
"He can see things that few others see," he said. "He knows how to put himself in situations that put the opposition at risk. And he knows how to carry the ball towards the goal, whether that is with dribbles or with his movement."
Watch Arsenal's new signing Gabriel Martinelli, courtesy of MyCujoo .
It is an insight into his game that comes from the perspective of a defender with Vinicius having enjoyed a playing career that spanned both sides of the Atlantic.
After leaving Ituano in 2002, he joined Hannover 96, initially on loan. He signed permanently in 2003 and left seven years later having player more than 140 games for the German club.
During his time in their squad he played alongside Mertesacker, who made his senior debut with the Reds before moving on to Werder Bremen in 2006 and then Arsenal in 2011.
Martinelli scored his first goal for the Gunners in their 3-0 win over Colorado Rapids in Denver.
Following the success of Matteo Guendouzi last season, a teenager signed from Ligue 2 and initially tipped as one of the future, it is hoped that the Brazilian can play a bigger role than may have been expected of him this season.
