Gabriel Martinelli says Arsenal must use the lessons of last season’s Champions League semi-final exit after progressing past Sporting CP, while also underlining how much the club means to him.
Gabriel Martinelli says Arsenal are determined to use the lessons of last season’s Champions League semi-final exit when they face Atletico Madrid in the last four this time around.
Speaking in an interview published by Arsenal after Wednesday’s goalless draw with Sporting CP, Martinelli reflected on the quarter-final win and quickly turned his attention to what comes next. Arsenal progressed 1-0 on aggregate after Kai Havertz’s late goal in Lisbon settled the tie, and Martinelli said the team had done enough over the two legs to deserve their place in the semi-finals.
“We did well in the first leg of the quarter-finals and today I think we did quite well,” Martinelli said. “Of course, we could have done better, but that's football and Sporting is a really good side as well, so they did well. We managed to not concede and we're through, so we're really happy and we can't wait to play against Atletico.”
That quote set the tone for the rest of his message. There was recognition that Arsenal were not at their best in every phase of the second leg, but also a clear focus on the outcome. Against a Sporting side that remained competitive throughout the tie, Martinelli’s emphasis was on control, defensive discipline and the fact Arsenal got the job done.
His attention then moved straight to Atletico Madrid. Arsenal have already faced Diego Simeone’s side earlier this season, but Martinelli made clear he is expecting a very different challenge over two semi-final legs.
“I can't wait to get to the game, it's going to be another big one,” he said. “Of course, we've played them this season, early in the season. Obviously, it's going to be a different game. We're looking forward to playing this game. It's going to be another battle.”
The most significant part of the interview, though, was Martinelli’s reference to last season’s semi-final exit. Arsenal reached the same stage of the competition a year ago, and the forward suggested that experience must now be put to good use.
“We're going to take what we did wrong last season to try to do right this season,” he said. “We'll go for it and we can't wait to play them.”
Martinelli also used the interview to reflect on his own impact in Europe this season. The Sporting tie marked his 50th European appearance for Arsenal, and this has been his most productive campaign in the competition, with six goals and two assists in 11 appearances.
“I've been working hard for those moments to help this team,” he said. “This is my club, it's my family. I feel really good here and it means a lot to me. We want to win titles and I'm really happy with the way we've been doing things.
“[The Champions League] is really nice. The game is really open, you have spaces to run into, and we manage the ball well. We find spaces really well and I've been enjoying playing in this competition.”
Taken together, Martinelli’s comments, in Arsenal’s post-match interview, made the team’s mindset clear. The Sporting job is done, but the focus has already shifted to Atletico Madrid and the chance to go one step further than Arsenal managed last season.