The Olympics has a history of turning budding footballers into stars… I’m thinking of Ronaldo, Nwankwo Kanu, Carlos Tevez and Xavi who have all flourished at the elite sporting event.

The tournament can act as a shop window for young hopefuls that wish to win a transfer to a top club. The world’s biggest clubs will send their scouts or have them watch live feeds as they look for the next big thing!

With that in mind, I believe Premier League club Arsenal should be watching the goings on in Tokyo this month and keep an eye out for versatile Brazilian Gabriel Menino.

First choice Gunners right-back Hector Bellerin has been linked all summer with a move away from the Emirates. The Metro have reported that Inter Milan have already made an initial offer for the Spaniard.

If Bellerin is to leave during this window, then Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will obviously want to bring in a replacement.

Menino may only be twenty years of age but he has already won trophies with Palmeiras in his homeland (including the 2020 Copa Libertadores) and picked up ten caps for Brazil’s younger national sides. Neymar has tipped him to become a star (Sport Bible) and others have likened him to world-class full-back Dani Alves.

During that Copa Libertadores triumph, Gabriel was included in the competition’s team of the tournament.

While he can play in midfield, he can excel as a free charging full-back in my opinion. That’s because he has the engine to continually get up and down the right touchline.

When the youngster breaks into the opposition’s half he suddenly becomes dangerous to his opponents backline. That’s because he has a very dangerous right foot and he has the ability to create an inch perfect cross with his sublime delivery. That would suit the likes of Alexandre Lacazette (with his aerial ability) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (coming in from the left flank).

The Palmeiras right-back also plays with that unique samba style, which involves a cheekiness full of tricks and flicks. That will always be a hit with supporters in the stands!

He also has a nice first touch on him, eager to get forward whenever possible and possesses the ability to come inside and use his left foot. The player is not scared to hit a drive from distance.

His former Palmeiras coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo has praised the youngster and stated he has the tools to perform on the international stage:

“Gabriel Menino is versatile, has all the physical and technical qualities to go to the National Team.”

Via Lance.com

With former Brazilian international Edu now doing a lot of the Gunners transfer business in his technical director’s role, then he should have the contacts to make pursuing Menino a real possibility.

It might also help that Arsenal have a group of Brazilian players already based in North London, including fellow Olympian Gabriel Martinelli.

Having the versatility to also play as central midfielder and as a winger will probably suit Arteta as that means he’d be able to add even greater strength in depth to his current Arsenal squad.

If Arteta and the Arsenal hierarchy do wish to make good when it comes to Edu’s contacts then they should be keeping a close eye on Tokyo and working on a deal to bring Gabriel Menino to the club right now. Fellow Londoners have already been linked with the player (Source Daily Mail), so it could be a case of getting in there first!

Posted on July 22nd, 2021 by scott
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