Gabriel Martinelli has travelled to join up with the Brazil squad ahead of a potential international debut, but he’s still yet to return to training.

Gabriel Martinelli with Brazil (Photo via Martinelli on Twitter)
Gabriel Martinelli with Brazil in a previous Olympic Team call-up (Photo via Martinelli on Twitter)

Earlier this month, Gabriel Martinelli received the dream news that he’d been handed his first international call-up by Brazil.

“I am very happy for the call-up,” Martinelli said. “This is a very important moment in my life and in my career.”

But that opportunity was thrown into doubt when the winger was absent from Arsenal’s matchday squad on Saturday through illness.

The good news is that Martinelli himself confirmed on Instagram that he’s reported to Brazil headquarters on time.

On the other hand, the Evening Standard report that Martinelli didn’t take part in Brazil’s first training session after travelling. He and Thiago Silva sat out of training on Monday.

As it stands, Martinelli is still set to rejoin the group this week, ahead of a potential debut for the senior side. He’s just clearly not 100% yet.

Gabriel Martinelli with Brazil (Photo via Martinelli on Twitter)
Gabriel Martinelli with Brazil in a previous Olympic Team call-up (Photo via Martinelli on Twitter)

Mikel Arteta suggested at the weekend that Martinelli still has a good chance to be involved with his country’s senior side for the first time.

“Hopefully, yes,” Arteta responded to questions about Martinelli’s involvement.

“He was gutted not to be able to play today because he travelled to try and be with the team. He really deserves [the call up] so hopefully he can travel [on Sunday].”

We now know the player has travelled, it’s just a matter of getting involved in training and convincing the coaches to use him in their match against Chile on Thursday (24th at 23:30 GMT) or Bolivia on Wednesday (30th at 00:30 GMT).