Martinelli: Arsenal can handle the pressure

Arsenal players are used to the pressure that comes with playing at such a big club, so says Gabriel Martinelli.

The Gunners edged into the Champions League semi-finals despite a 0-0 draw with Sporting CP on Wednesday. That result was enough to seal a 1-0 aggregate success.

Kai Havertz’s late goal in Lisbon last week saw Arsenal claim their only win across their last five games in all competitions.

A surprise home defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League means Arsenal head into Sunday’s huge clash with Manchester City just six points ahead of their title rivals, who have a game in hand.

Man City beat Arsenal 2-0 in the EFL Cup final before the March international break, while they were then dumped out of the FA Cup by Southampton.

While some pundits and fans have suggested Mikel Arteta’s team lack the know-how to get over the line, but Martinelli insists they can handle the scrutiny.

“When you play for Arsenal you have to know how to deal with the pressure,” he told TNT Sports.

“We really like the pressure as well. We play for Arsenal, we are used to it. It’s a semi-final and fighting for the Premier League.”

2 – Arsenal have reached the UEFA Champions League semi-final in back-to-back seasons, after having only made two previous European Cup/Champions League semi-finals before this (2005-06 and 2008-09). Standards. pic.twitter.com/rDja5MhiV2

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 15, 2026

Arsenal will face Atletico Madrid in the last four of the Champions League, with a final against either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich the prize on offer.

“Two times in a row in the semi-finals of the Champions League. Everyone is happy. I think we deserve that,” Martinelli said.

“We’ve been playing well and we deserve that. Now, just enjoy tonight and we have a big one on Sunday as well.

“When we play in the Champions League it is always tough. There is not one single team that is not strong.

“We did well and we didn’t concede. We didn’t score as well but we take the draw and we are through.

“We played [Atletico] in the group stage but this will be a completely different game. We have to earn the right, we have to do things right in the game as well. Let’s keep it up and try to win both games.”

Opta’s supercomputer has Arsenal as favourites to win both the Premier League title (86.1%) and the Champions League (36.8%).