Arsenal v Chelsea - Premier League - Source: Getty
Arsenal v Chelsea - Premier League - Source: Getty
Gabriel Martinelli has opened up about Arsenal's pursuit of their maiden UEFA Champions League trophy. He praised their squad and claimed that their form this season has given them confidence ahead of the knockout stages.
The Gunners finished atop the Champions League league-stage standings this season, winning all eight games. They will now face Bayer Leverkusen, who beat Olympiacos in the playoffs, in the Round of 16. They will travel to BayArena for the first leg on Wednesday, March 11.
Ahead of the game, Gunners winger Gabriel Martinelli expressed confidence in his side, saying (h/t Football.London):
“They are fantastic guys, both on and off the pitch. Every new signing has added a lot to the squad and the club, so I’m very happy with the new faces here."
“This results from having multiple quality players as an option in the squad. We certainly didn’t have the same starting 11 in those eight [league phase] games. I’m very happy with our campaign, the quality of our game, and the performance of everyone. That definitely gives us confidence," he added.
The north London side have never won the UEFA Champions League trophy. They last reached the final in 2006, but lost 2-1 against Barcelona.
Pundit backs Arsenal to reach the Champions League final this season
Former Chelsea and Liverpool striker Joe Cole believes the Gunners can reach the European competition's final this season. He also predicted the final to be between them and Manchester City, saying:
"I think, personally, it’s going to be an Arsenal versus Manchester City final. I think it will be an epic. I look at it, my only bet would be Arsenal going to the final. I’m not sure on the other side, with Manchester City you still don’t know because there’s too many good teams."
"AFC get to the final. They’re going to beat Bayer Leverkusen, they ain’t no cop [good], Sporting or Bodo/Glimt… In summery, the Champions League draw, they’ve opened it up, someone has rolled it across the goal for Arsenal. They cannot blow it… or can they? Arsenal fans, book your tickets for Budapest, in my opinion," he added.
Mikel Arteta's side have been drawn on arguably the easier side of the draw in the Champions League this season. If they get past Bayer Leverkusen, they will face either Bodo/Glimt or Sporting CP in the quarter-finals. If they beat them, they will face either Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, or Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals.