Martinelli's last-gasp heroics matches all-time Arsenal World Cup record

It has been both a busy and productive World Cup for the vast majority of the 15-strong Arsenal contingent in North America. However, none of them have, so far at least, enjoyed as big a moment as Gabriel Martinelli. On Monday, Brazil came from a goal down to defeat Japan 2-1 in their round of 32 tie in Houston, with Martinelli coming off the bench to fire home the last-gasp winner.

Coming in the 95th minute, this is the latest World Cup knockout stage winning goal since records began 60 years ago. This was Martinelli's fifth goal for the Seleção and unquestionably the biggest. He is the fourth Arsenal player to score at this summer's World Cup, joining Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyökeres and Leandro Trossard.

So, that got us thinking, is that the record and, if not, how likely is it to be broken?

Arsenal different goalscorers by World Cup

This summer has equalled the Arsenal record of four different World Cup scorers set 20 years ago in Germany. Back then, Thierry Henry bagged three goals as France made it to the final, while Philippe Senderos, Robin van Persie and Freddie Ljungberg all netted once for their respective nations.

If you want to be ultra-pedantic, one could include Tomáš Rosický on this list. His move from Borussia Dortmund had been confirmed a month before the World Cup, subsequently scoring a brace against the United States in Gelsenkirchen, albeit he doesn't officially count.

Meantime, the most famous collection of Arsenal World Cup goals surely came at France '98. That summer, representing the Netherlands, Marc Overmars and Dennis Bergkamp were both on target during a 5-0 demolition of Korea Republic, but that is not what is remembered.

A fortnight later, also at Stade Vélodrome, Bergkamp scored one of the greatest World Cup goals of all-time, a stoppage time quarter-final winner against Argentina which, if you've never seen it, seek it out immediately and then come back here. Also in '98, Emmanuel Petit became the first Arsenal player to score in a World Cup Final, bagging the third as France beat Brazil at the Stade de France.

Back to this summer, Arsenal players need just one more scorer to break the record set in 2006. So, who is most-likely to become the fifth Gunner to find the net in North America? Spain's Mikel Merino is always good for a goal, while Martin Ødegaard's Norway are through to the round of 16, set to face Brazil in New Jersey on Sunday, so could he be their hero?

That said, it is surely most-likely that one of the English contingent come to the party. Declan Rice is an every game starter for Thomas Tuchel, while Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke are timesharing the right-wing spot. That's not to overlook Eberechi Eze, who can also produce a moment of magic. So, if pushed, we are forecasting that a fifth Arsenal player will score at this World Cup, but we will see.

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