Former Arsenal chief scout Francis Cagigao has recalled how they signed Gabriel Martinelli.

Cagigao admits the club did have doubts over Martinelli but took advantage of rivals passing up the opportunity to sign him.

“He played for Ituano, an hour and a half from Sao Paulo," Cagigao recalled to AS. “We had him on our radar since grassroots football.

“We had doubts, but I started going to see him and he totally convinced me.

“Manchester United could have signed him, but they didn't, and Barcelona too, he went on trial at La Masia. But they ruled him out and we went in there hard so he wouldn't escape."