Martinelli wants Arsenal in the Champions League

Brazilian starlet Gabriel Martinelli is having an encouraging season for the Gunners, but he demands more from himself and his teammates. The first step on the road to glory should be qualification for the UEFA Champions League, the competition Arsenal haven't been in since 2017.

For a club with such reputation and ambition, playing in the Europa League or not playing in European cups altogether is a disgrace. The Brazilian wants that rectified as soon as possible.

"We have a young group, we have a lot of time ahead of us, players with a lot of quality, I think we will achieve great things. Our focus is the Champions League. Fighting for that top four. A club like Arsenal has to be in the Champions League. It's our total focus."

The 20-year-old forward has been with the North London side since joining from Ituano two and a half years ago. Even though his career has only just started, the youngster likes it so much at the Emirates that he's willing to remain there forever.

"Arsenal are a giant team. If I can, I'll stay here my whole life. I want to conquer things, as I said, I want to stay here and win titles, with these wonderful fans, my teammates."

Making the transition from South America to England at such a young age was overwhelming for this talented kid, but he says that he adjusted thanks to his family and former teammate Emiliano Martinez.

"It was a giant leap for me. I was at Ituano, I lived in Itu, and I came to play at Arsenal, living in London. It was a little complicated, but my family was always with me, they always helped me at all times, off and on the field as well. At the club, I always had the support of Emi too. He helped a lot, he always helped me. His wife speaks Portuguese, so does he. He was very important to me, he helped me adapt to the club, to the country. With my family here, it became a little easier. But it was a big leap, it was just a bit of a good one."

Martinelli has so far played in 71 games for Arsenal and has found the back of the net 16 times. A couple of months ago, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta praised the young Brazilian.

"Martinelli trains incredibly hard, he is always willing to do more and he is not scared or afraid to take risks - and that is what I like about him."

PREMIER LEAGUE - ROUND 28

Saturday

15:30: (1.87) Leicester (3.60) Leeds (4.20)

18:00: (2.45) Aston Villa (3.30) Southampton (2.95)

18:00: (7.50) Burnley (4.10) Chelsea (1.48)

18:00: (2.70) Newcastle (3.05) Brighton (2.80)

18:00: (2.90) Norwich (3.05) Brentford (2.60)

18:00: (2.35) Wolverhampton (2.95) Crystal Palace (3.50)

20:30: (1.32) Liverpool (5.50) West Ham (9.00)

Sunday

17:00: (6.00) Watford (3.80) Arsenal (1.60)

19:30: (1.40) Man.City (4.50) Man.Utd. (8.50)

Monday

23:00: (1.65) Tottenham (3.80) Everton (5.50)

**odds are subject to change