“I have to be fair” Gabriel Martinelli predicts where Arsenal will finish in the champions league after signing Rice, Timber and Havertz

|”I have to be fair” Gabriel Martinelli predicts where Arsenal will finish in the champions league after signing Rice, Timber and Havertz
|
Gabriel Martinelli admits Arsenal are ‘preparing for the worst’ in Europe next season

Arsenal’s young star has discussed how challenging next season could be for the Gunners as they gear up for the Champions League while also challenging for the title

Mikel Arteta reviews Arsenal’s 5-0 win against the MLS All-Stars

Arsenal ace Gabriel Martinelli has confessed the Gunners are preparing for the worst case scenarios so that they are ready to face Europe’s best in the Champions League.

The forward enjoyed his best season to date last term, netting 15 goals and registering five assists as Arsenal fell just short in their bid for a first Premier League title since 2004. Mikel Arteta’s men did manage to seal their return to the Champions League though, with their second-placed finish securing qualification to a competition they have not been a part of since 2017.

Martinelli is adamant that Arsenal won’t be there just to make up the numbers, but did concede the Gunners have recognised they must prepare for when things go south on the pitch against the best teams in the tournament.

Mikel Arteta ready to swallow pride and bid again for Arsenal transfer target after snub

Arsenal transfer round-up: Nicolas Pepe dealt blow as Gunners eye ‘next Luka Modric’
“I think we need to prepare ourselves for the worst, we need to prepare ourselves for the best teams and the whole team is doing that,” the Brazil international explained. “I think we are ready for a new challenge.”

Many fans and pundits alike have suggested that Arsenal’s league ambitions could suffer next season now that Arteta’s side have to juggle Champions League responsibilities alongside a title tilt. Martinelli himself has acknowledged the difficulty of more games in an already packed schedule.

“It’s so important (our squad depth) because we have too many games in the season and it’s going to be tough again,” he added. “We are ready to go and it’s good to have so many options.”

As Martinelli explained, Arsenal now have significantly more options to call upon after some heavy spending both last January and this summer. Since the turn of the calendar year, Jorginho, Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and club-record signing Declan Rice have all arrived.

Gabriel Martinelli recognises the difficulties Arsenal will face next term
Gabriel Martinelli recognises the difficulties Arsenal will face next term
Mirror Football is now on Threads! You can follow us here.

All five are expected to play a big part in Arsenal’s efforts next term, though not every signing was greeted with swathes of enthusiasm from the Emirates faithful. Take Havertz, many have questioned what kind of role he will enjoy and cast doubt over his ability after three hit-and-miss years at London rivals Chelsea.

Arteta was full of praise for the Germany international, however, after he netted his first Gunners goal against the MLS All-Stars on Wednesday night.

Discussing Havertz’s versatility, the Arsenal boss explained: “I think again that’s one of the main qualities that he has. He gives us something different with his quality and his height for example where he can be a target man if we need to beat the press.

“He’s playing at the attacking midfield position for now but I’m sure throughout the season he’ll be used in different positions.”