Gabriel Martinelli is our top scorer so far in this season’s unbeaten Champions League run, with six goals (and two assists) from his 13 appearances.
The Brazilian also became just the 18th player to reach 50 overall European matches for us, when he played against Sporting Club in the quarter-final.
So this is clearly a competition the 24-year-old loves. We spoke to the Brazilian about his favourite UCL memories, the pain of going out to PSG last season and what it would mean to go all the way this time around.
This has been your competition so far this season, with six goals so far. What is it about European games that you love so much?
I don't know. I've always loved the Champions League. It was always my dream and my dad's dream, for me to be playing on the pitch. Every time I step on the pitch, and I listen to that anthem beforehand, it gives me goosebumps. It feels amazing to be in the Champions League and it's always amazing. I think I’ve been doing quite well to be fair, so I just want to keep it going.
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Are the games themselves much different? Is the style different to in the Premier League?
Yeah, it is. I feel like the game is usually more open in the Champions League. Everyone is looking to score in every action, nobody is just at the back, defending the whole time, so the games are more open.
That means the forwards can get more space, and I think for the fans as well it’s great to watch a Champions League game.
For the whole 90 minutes every team is trying to get at the opposition, trying to score, so it’s good for everyone.
As a player do you try to remember that feeling of disappointment you had at the final whistle in Paris last year, and use it as fuel and motivation this time around?
Yeah, of course – speaking for myself I don't want to feel that pain again! And I'm sure none of the boys in the dressing room want to feel that again for sure. We have to take that feeling in our belly into the game as well, give our best and try to do everything we can.
We are unbeaten so far in the competition, and we finished top of the group stage, do you think that was important to build the confidence?
Of course, and the other thing that winning the group gave us was being at home for the second legs. It shows how good we are to win that group, how good we can be and what we can achieve. It’s always better to be first!
You played your 50th European game for Arsenal in the quarter-final, you must be, you must be proud of that number?
Yeah of course, this is my club, I love the club and every time I’m on the pitch playing the games I try to give my best for this football club. I’m so grateful for everything this club has given me.
What have been your highlights from those 50 games?
I have to say against Real Madrid last season. Playing in the Bernabeu was great, I had some friends there too that night, my agent was there and after the game we met up, spoke about the game and it’s something that will be forever in my memory, and hopefully my grandkids one day as well!
How do you spend your time when you're away on a European trip?
It's normal for us, we are used to travelling, especially with the national team as well. We spend a lot of time in hotels so it’s not a problem for us. Normally we play cards. Myself, the Gabis and David Raya play a Brazilian card game together, called Cacheta.
When I’m in my room I will call my parents or my fiancé usually, but when I’m with the others I play cards. I think this month Gabi Jesus is winning, it gets competitive! We Brazilians are very competitive, we want to win everything! I play Parchis as well, sometimes with Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie.
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