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Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has said the club denied him permission to take part in the ongoing Olympic qualifying matches for Brazil.
The 18-year-old has been one of the success stories of the Gunners' campaign, showcasing exciting potential following a transfer from Ituano in the summer of 2019.
After shining for Arsenal, it's anticipated Martinelli will play a part for the Selecao at the Games this summer, when they will be seeking to defend the Olympic title they won four years ago. Speaking to UOL (h/t Alex Milne of the Daily Mirror), the teenager said he wanted to be involved in the recent qualifiers:
"I said that if it was up to me I would play.