Gabriel Martinelli sends huge message to Nico Williams amid potential summer move to Arsenal

Image credit: Getty Images

Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has welcomed the prospect of increased competition this summer, as the Gunners look to strengthen their attacking options ahead of next season.

Mikel Arteta’s side are targeting reinforcements in wide areas, with Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams among the players on their radar. Williams would provide direct competition for Martinelli on the left flank, but the Brazilian insists he is excited by the challenge any new signing would bring.

“We play for Arsenal — it’s a competition every day,” Martinelli said. “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. We are a big club. We need to have the best players. I will be really happy when we have big players coming to the team.”

READ MORE: PSG confirm travelling squad for Champions League semi-final clash with Arsenal

Martinelli, who joined Arsenal from Brazilian side Ituano in 2019 for £6 million, has two years remaining on his current contract, with an option to extend for an additional year. Despite speculation surrounding his future, the 23-year-old reaffirmed his commitment to the club.

“I always said that I am really happy here,” he said. “This is my home. I love to be here. I love the club. The club has given me so much, not just on the pitch, but off the pitch as well. I have improved a lot with the club — of course, on the pitch is important, but off the pitch as well. The club has been amazing with me, the people that are around the club, the fans, everything. I am really happy here.”

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NOW ARSENAL WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!

Martinelli was speaking on Monday ahead of Arsenal’s crucial Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal are aiming to win the competition for the first time in their history, having last reached the final 19 years ago.

“It’s a dream to be here,” Martinelli said. “Since I started to play football, when I was five or six, I had this dream to be playing in the Champions League, and to be in a semi-final is amazing. Everyone that loves football would love to be playing in these kinds of games. Everyone has to have their dreams. You dream to try to make it real.

“When I was in Brazil, I always had this dream. I knew it could be real and it could be possible. I just try to give my best and improve things. We have this dream. The football club has never won this title and the club deserves to have it. It’s one of the biggest clubs in the world and we are really happy to be involved in this moment. We believe we can win it. It’s an amazing thing we can bring to the club.”

NEXT ARTICLE: Arsenal handed huge injury boost ahead of PSG clash as two stars return to training