 Gabriel Martinelli has urged his Arsenal team-mates to 'prepare for the worst' ahead of the Gunners' return to the Champions League this season. Arsenal news, exclusives and analysis Sign up Privacy Policy The north London club registered a second-placed finish in the Premier League last term, which will end their seven-year wait for Champions League football. Arsenal have never won the Champions League in the club's history and last featured in football's elite European club competition in the 2016-17 campaign. The Gunners have been eliminated in the first knockout round the last seven times they have featured in the tournament – with their best result a runner-up finish in the 2005-06 season. '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,' Martinelli said. 'I think we are ready for a new challenge… It's so important [our squad depth] because we have too many games in the season and it's going to be tough again. 'We are ready to go and it's good to have so many options.' Martinelli enjoyed a stellar season last term, registering 15 goals and five assists across 36 Premier League games for Mikel Arteta's side. Gunners legend Ray Parlour crowned Martinelli as Arsenal's most improved player for the 2022-23 campaign. 'He deserves recognition as he has been excellent off the left,' he told Metro.co.uk. 'He took his chance when Emile Smith Rowe got injured. He was a bit-part player really, but after getting his opportunity, he has really improved.' MORE :){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Gabriel Martinelli has urged his Arsenal team-mates to ‘prepare for the worst’ ahead of the Gunners’ return to the Champions League this season.
Arsenal news, exclusives and analysis
The north London club registered a second-placed finish in the Premier League last term, which will end their seven-year wait for Champions League football.
Arsenal have never won the Champions League in the club’s history and last featured in football’s elite European club competition in the 2016-17 campaign.