Colorado Rapids vs Arsenal line-ups: Confirmed team news and XIs - Gabriel Martinelli handed first start

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Tom Doyle16 July 2019

Gabriel Martinelli starts his first game for Arsenal as the Gunners line up against Colorado Rapids.

Martinelli, 18, joined the Gunners from Brazilian club Ituano on July 2.

The 18-year-old scored 10 goals in 34 appearances for the Sao Paolo-based side, which led to a call-up to the full Brazil squad for a training camp in May ahead of Copa America.

Martinelli, who has named Cristiano Ronaldo as one of his footballing idols, starts in a youthful lineup from Unai Emery, with the likes of Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette held in reserve.

Calum Chambers slots in to central defence, and could have a role to play this season with Emery lacking options at the back.

With club captain Laurent Koscielny boycotting the tour as he seeks an exit, and with transfer funds limited this summer, Chambers could well have a golden opportunity to stake a claim for regular game time with a strong showing in pre-season.

Arsenal XI: Macey, Jenkinson, Chambers, Medley, Thompson, Olayinka, Burton, Martinelli, John-Jules, Saka, Nketiah

Colorado XI: Irwin, Anderson, Sjoberg, Opare, Raben, Bassett, Acosta, Blomberg, Mezquida, Serna, Jackson

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