ARSENAL wonderkid Gabriel Martinelli has cooked up a storm in his debut season at the Emirates – fuelled by his mum’s meals.

Moving to a new country could have been a daunting challenge at just 18 but his mother’s culinary skills have kept the Brazilian feeling right at home.

3Martinelli is close with his parents, who have moved to London to help him settleCredit: Instagram @ga_martinelli01

3The 18-year-old’s mum still cooks him dinnerCredit: Instagram @ga_martinelli01

The talented forward’s parents have moved with him to London, and he has gushed over how much they have helped him.

He told Marca: “I had a very good childhood. My father placed me in Corinthians to play football at age six, since then I have not stopped.

“So I lived with my father and my mother and in the same courtyard my grandfather lived with my uncle. The change has been difficult.

“Moving to England is complicated but it is all for one purpose, which is the most important thing, to come to play for Arsenal.

“My parents live with me and are always by my side. My sisters stayed in Brazil. With food and stuff I have no problem because my mother cooks at home and it is easier for me.”

The promise of instantly being involved with the first-team helped persuade Martinelli into making the move to North London.

It could have been so different though, had Barcelona come calling.

On previous interest from the LaLiga giants, Martinelli admitted: “Shortly before the São Paulo Cup I spent a few days training in Barcelona.

Barcelona invited me to train with them in La Masia but afterwards they didn’t want to do anything with me, they didn’t tell me anything.

“I spent 15 days there, which was the time I had on vacation after the U17 that ended in October. As Copinha did not start until January, we would train in December.

“Barcelona invited me to train with them in La Masia but afterwards they didn’t want to do anything with me, they didn’t tell me anything.

“I went back to Ituano, I played Copinha and I immediately came to Arsenal.”

And Arsenal fans will be relieved that he was snubbed by Barca, with the exciting youngster having already netted ten goals in 23 games for the Gunners.

It’s not just Martinelli’s parents that have helped him settle in England, however, as he praised former manager Unai Emery – as well as current boss Mikel Arteta.

He said: “Both are amazing people. Unai helped me a lot, he was the first who trusted me and placed me. I will always be very grateful. He was the one who gave me my first minutes in Europe.

“Mikel now also gives me a lot of confidence. I am very grateful. He always tries to help me and give me advice so I can improve my football.

“In that I think he is amazing because he tries to give attention to all the players and is a very good person.”

Martinelli has been a shining light in an otherwise extremely disappointing season for Arsenal.

The Gunners sit tenth in the Premier League, having won just one of Arteta’s seven league games in charge so far.

They return from their winter break next weekend, with Newcastle the visitors in North London.

3Martinelli has been a shining light in Arsenal’s disappointing season