Arsenal frontman Gabriel Martinelli wants to see the biggest names arriving at Arsenal as Mikel Arteta considers his summer signings with Nico Williams on the club's radar
Gabriel Martinelli insists he would relish the chance to compete against Nico Williams if Arsenal sign the winger. The Gunners have been linked with swoop for the Spaniard as they plot their summer recruitment.
Williams was one of the standout players in last summer's Euros as Spain claimed glory in Germany. The Athletic Bilbao star was a constant threat from out wide but, despite huge interest in him, chose to remain at the San Mames.
He could win the Europa League with his hometown club this season but a big move is eventually expected to take him away from Bilbao. Arsenal could come calling as they look to add more firepower to their frontline - something Martinelli would welcome.
One of Mikel Arteta's major issues this season has been a reliable source of goals and they're tipped to land a No 9 in the coming months. Bringing in Williams would add more threat and, despite him and Martinelli playing in the same position, the Brazilian wants to see the biggest talents heading to the Emirates.
He said: "It’s a competition every day. 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."
Arsenal will hope they can don the tag of European champions when it comes to this summer's recruitment with the club in the last four of the competition. It remains their only hope of silverware having struggled for consistency domestically, with injuries playing their part.
Martinelli and Bukayo Saka have commanded the wide roles in recent years and both men have been linked with moves away from Arsenal. The Brazilian, who scored the winner in the Bernabeu earlier this month, insists he has no desire to leave though as he embraced the challenge of playing in north London.
Martinelli said: “We play for Arsenal, it’s one of the biggest and best clubs in the world so we are used to it. We are a big club so we need the best players. It’s been an amazing journey for me, I’ve improved a lot and when I got here we were playing in the Europa League and now we are in the semi final of the Champions League.
“I’m really happy here, this is my home, I love the club and the club has given me so much not just on the pitch but off the pitch as well. The people who work at the club, they have been amazing for me. Everyone has to have their dreams, when I was in Brazil, I knew it could be real, I knew it could be possible and be the best I could be.”
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