The year is 2019.
An 18-year-old boy, previously rejected by Manchester United after 4 unsuccessful trials, joins Arsenal Football Club from Ituano FC for a reported £6 million fee.
He’s given the No. 35 shirt.
Few knew his name. Fewer believed what he would become.
🎶 “His name is Gabi, He’s from São Paulo, And he plays for Arsenal, La la la la la la la!” 🎶
We sang whenever Gabriel Martinelli hit the back of the net.
From relentless pressing to that crucial goal against Manchester City in the title race, he quickly became one of the key sparks in Arsenal’s revival, playing with fearlessness and energy every time he stepped on the pitch.
A boy arrived wearing 35. A star emerged wearing 11 to lift the Premier league title.
But why the shirt number 35 for an unknown 18 year old?
Because ladies and gentlemen, it’s been exactly 35 days since Arsenal won the Premier League title.
It's been 33 days and of all the messages I received the day we won the league, this brings a smile to my face every single day. Thank you too and up the Arsenal.
On Matchday 33 of the 2025–26 Premier League season, Arsenal played against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The game ended 2–1 in favour of City. At full-time, Manchester City players were doing victory laps while rival fans flooded social media with posts about Arsenal bottling the league.
But in the middle of all the gloom, one man lifted his head, looked at his captain Martin Ødegaard and said:
“It’s not done.”
That man was Declan Rice.
Arsenal went on to win every remaining league game, storming to the Premier League title and finishing 7 points clear of Manchester City.
But why do I look back on Matchday 33 with such nostalgia?
Because ladies and gentlemen, it’s been exactly 33 days since Arsenal won the league title.
In the current Arsenal squad, there are 5 players who are 27 years old: Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice.
Back in 2019, Arsenal signed William Saliba for £27M from AS Saint-Étienne, a deal that has become one of the most important long-term investments in the club’s modern era.
And now the number 27 shows up again, but why?
Because it’s been 27 days since Arsenal won the league title.
🚨👋🏼 Marc Cucurella on leaving Chelsea for Real Madrid: “For me and my family it was an opportunity we couldn’t refuse, and I’m very happy with the decision we made”.
“When you’re a kid, you dream of playing for big teams, and I think Real Madrid is one of them”, told El Mundo.