Gabriel Martinelli's soccer style is heavily influenced by his futsal background, which has had a significant impact on his performances for Arsenal in the English Premier League. The skills and attributes honed in futsal have seamlessly translated to the outdoor game, allowing Martinelli to excel in various aspects of his play.

Contrary to the stereotype of Brazilians honing their football skills on the beach, the truth is that many Brazilian footballers, including legends like Pele, developed their talents indoors through futsal.

Futsal's Influence on Brazilian Players:

Futsal's characteristics, such as a smaller and heavier ball, a hard playing surface, and limited space, contributed to the development of close control skills among Brazilian players. Gabriel Martinelli's journey exemplifies this influence. Growing up, Martinelli had a futsal academy conveniently located near his house. He played for Corinthians' futsal team before transitioning to football when his family moved to Guarulhos. Martinelli acknowledges the significance of futsal, stating that it greatly enhanced his ball control abilities, which he continues to employ on the football field.

Here are five specific examples of how Martinelli's futsal background has benefited his soccer game:

1.Exceptional Ball Control: Futsal's emphasis on close control in tight spaces has shaped Martinelli's superb ball control. He possesses the ability to receive the ball and keep it glued to his feet even under intense pressure. This allows him to navigate through congested areas on the pitch, evade challenges, and maintain possession, making him a formidable threat in one-on-one situations.

2.Quick Changes of Direction: Futsal's fast-paced nature and limited playing area require players to constantly change directions swiftly. Martinelli's futsal experience is evident in his agility and ability to change direction seamlessly. He can quickly shift his body and change the direction of his runs, leaving defenders off-balance and creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.

3.Intelligent Movement off the Ball: Futsal's small-sided format demands constant movement and intelligent positioning.

Martinelli's futsal background has instilled in him an innate understanding of space and how to exploit it. He excels in finding pockets of space, making incisive runs, and creating passing angles for his teammates. This off-the-ball intelligence allows him to be a constant threat in the attacking third.

4.Quick Decision Making: Futsal's fast-paced nature requires players to make split-second decisions. Martinelli's experience in futsal has sharpened his decision-making abilities, enabling him to assess situations rapidly and choose the most effective option. Whether it's releasing a quick pass, taking on an opponent, or shooting on goal, Martinelli's decisive nature on the pitch stems from his futsal background.

5.Clinical Finishing: Futsal places a premium on accurate and efficient finishing due to the limited shooting opportunities. Martinelli's futsal upbringing has contributed to his clinical nature in front of goal. He showcases excellent composure, technique, and precision when finishing chances, often finding the back of the net with remarkable accuracy. This lethal finishing ability has made him a valuable asset to Arsenal's attacking line.

In summary, Martinelli's futsal background has significantly enhanced his soccer game, especially while playing for Arsenal in the English Premier League. His exceptional ball control, quick changes of direction, intelligent movement off the ball, quick decision-making, and clinical finishing are all direct products of his futsal training. These attributes have made Martinelli a versatile and dynamic player, capable of influencing matches with his technical prowess and astute decision-making on the field.

Provided By: Niko Alexopoulos