Unai Emery has hinted at first-team chances for new Arsenal signing Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazilian teenager is the Gunners' one and only signing thus far in the summer transfer market, but he's arrived in north London with high recommendations from his homeland.
Martinelli marked his debut with a goal in the pre-season friendly win over Colorado Rapids on Tuesday morning (UK time) and impressed many with his desire to track back.
He is the ninth Brazilian to join the Gunners and he says he hopes to emulate the success of some of his compatriots who have previously featured for the club.
"I know Edu, Denilson and I know that they have a lot of history at the club," Martinelli told Arsenal's official website after joining.
"Edu, in particular, I had a little contact with him at Corinthians as I had a spell there and I know they had a lot of success here but also for the national team. I am going to try to follow the same route."
What the immediate future holds for Martinelli remains to be seen as Arsenal are in the market for a winger - or two - before deadline day and if successful in those attempts it could have an effect on the 18-year-old.
However, Emery insists the forward will get chances if he continues to impress in training and in the pre-season friendlies.
"We have a big commitment with young players from our own academy and also from our scouts," Emery said. "Martinelli is a young player and at the moment he is training very well with us.
"We want to do one process with him, it started two weeks ago with us training and playing matches.
"We are going to work with him on this progress, giving him chances and if he deserves more minutes he will get them."
Emery's comments coincide with what football.london reported earlier in the month in that Martinelli is effectively on a first-team trial during this month.
Furthermore, while it had been expected that the teenager may have been included in the U23 friendly against Hitchin Town on Saturday, July 27, it's understood that will not be the case as Emery will prefer to give him a chance in the Emirates Cup.
And Gabriel Martinelli certainly isn't short of confidence as he made a huge Cristiano Ronaldo claim after completing his €6m transfer.
"I model my game on Cristiano Ronaldo," Martinelli told the club's official website. "He is a player who works hard, pushing himself to the next level. Always in the run for titles and individual trophies.
"I look up to Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar as they are players who can decide games and are very professional, who dedicate themselves to the whole game."
