The fans are yet to know the name of the Arsenal star taking the No. 10 jersey from Emile Smith Rowe, who moved to Fulham this summer. Rumours had it that Raheem Sterling would dawn the legendary shirt number, but the Chelsea loanee has been handed the No. 30 shirt. And now, the UEFA Champions League’s official website has revealed who will wear the No. 10 shirt ahead of an official announcement.
Martinelli Becomes Arsenal’s New No. 10
The website has posted Mikel Arteta’s chosen players and their shirt numbers for this season’s UCL, and interestingly, Gabriel Martinelli has picked up a different numerical.
As per the list, Bukayo Saka has taken the No. 7 shirt, and then there is Gabriel Jesus’ name next to the No. 9 jersey. The official website further states that the South American winger has taken over Smith-Rowe’s No. 10 jersey.
🚨 JUST IN! #UCL
Gabriel Martinelli will wear number 1️⃣0️⃣ in the Champions League according to the website. 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/vM9oDzMlDP
— Eduardo Hagn (@EduardoHagn) September 4, 2024
The young attacker wore the No. 35 shirt when he arrived from Brazilian club Ituano FC in 2019, but was later given the No. 11. Captain Martin Ødegaard abandoned that number and decided to pick the No. 8 shirt.
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It is a huge moment for the 23-year-old to adorn a number that was earlier worn by Arsenal’s best players like Denis Bergkamp, Robin van Persie, Paul Merson, Jack Wilshere, and Mesut Ozil.
Questions were asked about Martinelli’s form in front of goal last season. Leandro Trossard impressed off the bench, and it was looking as if the Belgian, along with Sterling, might take over the Brazil international’s place in the new campaign.
The Gunners were also linked with Athletic Bilbao’s No. 10 Nico Williams, but the transfer failed to materialise.
Handing the iconic shirt number to Martinelli shows the trust placed upon him by manager Arteta. He is a fantastic talent but needs to find his goal-scoring shoes.
It’s now up to him to prove himself on the field after a quiet start to the new PL season. The fans want him to bring justice to the manager’s surprising decision.
