International

Internationals: Martinelli plays for Brazil U-23s

Two of our first-team players were in action for their respective national teams on Thursday evening. Scroll down to find out how they got on:

Gabriel Martinelli made his first Brazil Under-23s appearance, playing the first 75 minutes of their 1-0 win over the United States in Las Palmas. Matheus Cunha scored the winning goal as the Selecao's youngsters continued to build momentum ahead of their pre-Olympic tournament in January 2020.

 

Martinelli did have chances to open his account on his debut. Our young forward headed straight at the goalkeeper in the first half before getting on the end of a quick counter-attack after the break, only to be denied for a second time.

 

The 18-year-old will be hoping to be in action again on Sunday, November 17 at 7.45pm (UK time). Brazil will face Argentina after the Albiceleste put 14 goals past the Canary Islands.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was also in action for Gabon, but was unable to find a way past DR Congo in 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying. Our striker captained the Panthers as they drew 0-0 in Kinshasa.

 

The point means Gabon are second in Group D, two points behind leaders Gambia ahead of Sunday's showdown with Angola. The game kicks off in Franceville at 7pm (UK time).

 

And finally, Matteo Guendouzi was an unused substitute as France came from a goal behind to beat Moldova in European Championship qualifying. Vadim Rata had given the winless visitors the lead in Paris, but Raphael Varane and former Gunner Olivier Giroud scored either side of the interval to pick up all three points.

 

The win sees Les Bleus qualify for the 2020 tournament as Group H winners after nine games. They are back in action on Sunday when they face Albania in Tirana at 7.45pm (UK time), with Guendouzi hoping to win his first senior cap for his country.

We'll have a number of Gunners in action in Friday's international fixtures, too. Emiliano Martinez's Argentina face Brazil at 5pm, while Lucas Torreira's Uruguay travel to Hungary at 6pm.

 

Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock are in European Under-21 qualifying action against Albania at the same time, before Sead Kolasinac's Bosnia & Herzegovina and Granit Xhaka's Switzerland host Italy and Georgia at 7.45pm respectively (all times UK).