Gabriel Martinelli has made it clear he's ready for the challenge if Arsenal bring in new attacking talent this summer. The Brazilian forward actually believes the Gunners need to strengthen their frontline to compete at the highest level.
"We play for Arsenal -- it's a competition every day," Martinelli explained. "The club wants to have the best players in the world because it is one of the biggest in the world as well. We are used to it."
Sources close to the club reveal Arsenal will be hunting for a striker when the season ends. They're also considering adding a winger, with Athletic Club's Nico Williams reportedly high on their wishlist.
Arsenal's Attack Needs Firepower
The need for offensive reinforcements seems obvious when looking at the numbers. Despite challenging for the title again, Arsenal have scored 17 fewer goals than Liverpool this season.
This goal difference might explain why the Gunners look set to finish second in the Premier League for a third straight campaign. For bettors, this attacking inconsistency has made Arsenal fixtures somewhat unpredictable when it comes to over/under markets.
Martinelli didn't shy away when asked if the team needed attacking additions. "We are a big club. We need to have the best players," he stated directly. "I will be really happy when we have big players coming to the team."
The 22-year-old still has two years left on his contract after joining from Brazilian club Ituano for just £7 million in 2019. That transfer now looks like one of Arsenal's best bargains in recent memory.
Champions League Dreams
Before any summer transfers happen, Arsenal face a massive challenge against Paris Saint-Germain in Tuesday's Champions League semifinal first leg. It's only the third time in their history they've reached this stage of Europe's premier competition.
For Martinelli, this European clash represents a career milestone. "It's a dream to be here," he admitted. "Since I started to play football, when I was five or six, I had this dream to be playing in the Champions League."
This semifinal matchup presents an interesting betting angle too. Arsenal's solid defense versus PSG's explosive attack makes for compelling markets on both sides scoring and total goals.
The Brazilian forward also took time to express his deep connection to Arsenal. "I always said that I am really happy here. This is my home. I love to be here," Martinelli shared. "The club has given me so much, not just on the pitch, but off the pitch as well."
For Arsenal fans and bettors alike, the coming months will reveal whether the club can finally add the attacking firepower needed to turn their runner-up finishes into championships.
