Arsenal wonderkid Martinelli was snubbed by Man Utd after FOUR trials before joining the Gunners

RISING Arsenal superstar Gabriel Martinelli had FOUR trials with Manchester United but they turned him down each time.

The Brazilian wonderkid put his name in lights last night by scoring twice in the Gunners' 4-0 Europa League victory over Standard Liege.

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Martinelli's potential was plain to see with two exquisite finishes.

The 18-year-old brilliantly directed his unstoppable header into the corner following Kieran Tierney's cross for the opener before showing composure in the box to smash home his second.

It's four goals in two games now for Martinelli following his double against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup.

Unai Emery spotted his potential last season and the club moved quickly to land him in a £6million deal from Brazilian side Ituano this summer.

But his future could have panned out so differently had United taken their chance on him a few years ago.

Martinelli was invited to the club for a series of trials and even lined up alongside Mason Greenwood in a youth team friendly in 2017.

Ironically, United are now desperate for a goalscorer following another blank in the drab 0-0 draw with AZ Alkmaar last night.

Speaking to ESPN Brasil, Martinelli revealed: "Between 2015 and 2017 I went there four times and trained for about 15 days.

"As everyone trains in the same centre and eats in the same cafeteria, I've seen all the professionals.

"I asked to take a picture with [Patrice] Evra, [Marouane] Fellaini and other guys. [Paul] Pogba knew I was Brazilian and asked if everything was okay with me and where I was playing. We took a picture together."

Emery must be counting his lucky stars that he has such a talent on his hands.

But the Spaniard is keen not to get carried away just yet.

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After Thursday's win, he said: "The first thing in his mind is to help us.

"In the pre-season he was perfect, all the time with us. I spoke with him to be calm because when his opportunity arrives if he continues with that hunger he is going to do well.

"His pace is amazing. Above all he prefers to play left winger. I am using him as a striker because he played in that position in Brazil."

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