Arsenal’s young sensation Gabriel Martinelli has issued a stern warning to his teammates as they eagerly await their return to the prestigious Champions League next season.
After a seven-year hiatus from Europe’s most elite club competition, the Gunners secured an impressive second-place finish in the Premier League last season, narrowly missing out on the title to Manchester City.
Despite their remarkable performance domestically, Arsenal faces tough competition ahead in the Champions League draw. With the team placed in pot 2, there’s a high chance of encountering football giants like Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain from pot 1.
In a recent statement, Gabriel Martinelli expressed the need for the team to brace themselves for the challenges that lie ahead.
“I think we need to prepare ourselves for the worst, we need to prepare ourselves to face the best teams, and the whole team is doing that,”
Martinelli said while discussing the tasks Arsenal will face in the upcoming season.
The warning comes just ahead of Arsenal’s pre-season friendly match against Barcelona in the United States, where they will test their mettle against one of Europe’s finest.
With the grueling schedule of the Champions League, squad depth will be a critical factor in determining Arsenal’s success. Martinelli emphasized the importance of having a strong roster to navigate through the numerous matches in the season.
“I think we are ready for a new challenge. [Squad depth is] so important because we have too many games in the season and it’s going to be tough again,” he added.
The young Brazilian forward’s contributions last season were pivotal to Arsenal’s success, with 15 goals and five assists in 36 Premier League appearances.
As the team gears up for the Champions League, Manager Mikel Arteta has been proactive in strengthening the squad during the summer transfer window.
Key signings such as Kai Havertz from Chelsea, Jurrien Timber from Ajax, and Declan Rice from West Ham have added depth and quality to the team, breaking the club’s previous transfer record.
