Overview
- Brazil fell 3-2 to Japan after leading 2-0 at half-time, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring in the 32nd minute from a Lucas Paqueta pass during positional interchanges with Vinicius Junior.
- Martinelli was substituted after roughly 57 minutes and scored with his only shot, as cited stats show 71% pass completion, 0/7 duels won, 0/3 dribbles and 100% long balls.
- The strike was reported as his first Brazil goal in over a year, adding to recent club contributions that have intensified scrutiny of his limited Premier League starts for Arsenal.
- Arsenal-focused outlets and fans are urging Mikel Arteta to restore Martinelli to the XI or use him more centrally against Fulham on 18 October, with competition from Leandro Trossard and Eberechi Eze noted.
- Fellow Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes did not feature and was described as rested, a workload-positive development given his earlier hamstring surgery.