Gabriel Martinelli fires heartfelt Fabio Vieira message as Arsenal position feelings made clear

Gabriel Martinelli dedicated his first goal for Brazil to Arsenal team-mate Fabio Vieira who recently became a father. Despite his country suffering defeat to Colombia, it will undoubtedly have been a proud day for Martinelli who netted his first senior international goal with a calm sliding finish from close-range to initially put Brazil ahead.

Unfortunately for him, a late brace from Luis Diaz handed Colombia the win with an emotional week for the Liverpool star ending in joy days after his Dad was released by rebels who had held him hostage for 12 days. With Neymar Jr, Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus all missing the game through injury,Martinelli started in a makeshift attack with Real Madrid duo Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo up top flanked by the Arsenal man and Raphinha.

With the attacking pair an unorthodox centre-forward partnership, Martinelli was able to find the spaces made by their movement, as he does when in attack with Jesus at Arsenal, which allowed him to give Brazil the lead. After celebrating with his international team-mates, Martinelli looked down the lens of the camera placing one hand on top of the other in a C shape.

Perhaps an inside joke with the pair, Vieira posted to Instagram sharing the photo of Martinelli's celebration with the caption: «Direito a dedicatario do tio [laughing face and blue heart emoji]». In English that translates to, «Uncle’s dedication right now.»

In the lead up to the clash, amid Brazil's injury worries in attack, Martinelli was captured playing down the middle for his country in training. One run particularly caught the eye where the 22-year-old picked up the ball from deep and drove into the space, using his speed to bypass three opponents in the small-sided game.

Arteta deploying