Gabriel Martinelli was a little nervous meeting with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for the first time. Fortunately, the club captain made sure that didn’t last.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal FC celebrates with Gabriel Martinelli after scoring his team's first goal in extra-time during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal FC celebrates with Gabriel Martinelli. I don’t recall what game this is from, don’t look it up. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Speaking to FourFourTwo, Gabriel Martinelli recalled the first time he had a conversation with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

It was the 18-year-old’s first day at the London Colney training ground. He turned up for lunch, only to realise his only option was to sit next to Aubameyang. Understandably, he was a little nervous about this, as he explains.

“When I turned up it was lunchtime, and only [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang was sat at the table,” Martinelli said. “My first thought was, ‘F**k!’

“I sat next to him, a bit shy, but as Auba speaks Spanish, he struck up a conversation and asked where I was from. We had a nice chat. He had met a random guy from another country, but was so kind and wished me luck.”

26 appearances, 10 goals and four assists later, Martinelli is settling in nicely. He seems to get on well with Arsenal’s star players, particularly Aubameyang.

Back when Martinelli arrived, Aubameyang was just one of the group of captains, though he moved into the primary role afterwards. What you want from a captain is a welcoming presence who can help guide new arrivals to success, so it’s great to see that trait in action.

As unlikely as it might seem right now, with Aubameyang’s contract situation, it would be great to see the two on the pitch together for years to come.