Gabriel Martinelli is set to start for Brazil against Colombia on Thursday night, his first start under new manager Fernando Diniz.

The Evening Standard report that Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli is expected to feature in Brazil’s attacking front four against Colombia in midweek, which would be the first time he’d made the lineup under Fernando Diniz.

Diniz took over in July, so this is his third international break with the Brazil side.

In September, Diniz called Martinelli up but only gave him five minutes on the pitch, starting a front four of Rodrygo, Richarlison, Raphinha, and Neymar in both games.

In October, Diniz wanted to call Martinelli up, but a miscommunication with the player’s camp left him incorrectly under the impression that the winger wouldn’t be fit.

This time around, things will be different. Martinelli is clearly fit to be involved, and Richarlison and Neymar are absent through injuries of their own.

Brazil have also been less than impressive in Martinelli’s absence, drawing 1-1 with Venezuela before losing 2-0 to Uruguay in their last two matches.

So it’s no real surprise that Martinelli is finally set to make his first start for his country since the World Cup, in which he started a group game against Cameroon.

To this day, that remains the 22-year-old’s only start for his country.

The news that Martinelli is likely to start against Colombia is positive for any Arsenal fans who were worrying about the player’s fitness status, after he hobbled off against Burnley.

It seems the winger has avoided injury, and he now has the chance to impress in his country’s World Cup qualifiers this week.