Gabriel Martinelli has suggested the need for Arsenal to step up its offensive this summer, and welcomes competition where new arrivals bring.
Sources told ESPN that Arsenal will be in the striker’s market at the end of the season, and that athletic club Nico Williams could also move to winger among the main targets.
Arsenal faces Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday, aiming to win the European Premier Club Competition for the first time in history.
The Gunners missed the Premier League title and finished second in their third consecutive campaign, and finished second in a campaign 17 goals fewer than Champions Liverpool.
So Mikel Arteta is targeting the final third improvement, and when asked if speculation put pressure on his shoulders, Martinelli said:
“The club wants to have the best players in the world because it’s one of the biggest players in the world. We’re used to it.”
Martinelli pushed whether the club felt it needed to attack the reinforcements, saying, “We are a big club. We need the best players. We’re really happy when big players come to the team.”
Martinelli remains on his current contract in July 2019, when he joined the club on a £7 million contract from Brazilian club Ituano.
Gabriel Martinelli said Tuesday’s semi-final clash vs PSG will be bigger in his career. David Ramos/Getty Images
“I’ve always said I’m really happy here,” he said. “This is my home. I love being here, I love the club.
“The club gave me a lot not only on the pitch, but also on the pitch. I’ve improved a lot with the club. Of course, it’s important on the pitch, but it’s off the pitch too.
“The club was amazing to me, to the people around the club, to the fans, to everything. I’m really happy here.”
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Arsenal reached the Champions League semi-finals, only three times in history, and Martinelli confirmed that Tuesday’s encounter was the biggest match of his life.
“Being here is a dream,” Martinelli said. “I started playing football when I was five or six years old and then I had a dream of playing in the Champions League and taking part in the semi-finals.
“Everyone who loves soccer wants to play this kind of game. Everyone has to have a dream. You dream of trying to make it a reality.”
