Martinelli hopes to participate in the Champions League semi-finals

Premier League leaders Arsenal, after failing to score in both halves of the crucial second leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League quarter-final, ultimately defeated Sporting Lisbon 1-0 on aggregate. Martinelli stated that he is looking forward to participating in the Champions League semi-finals and will learn from past experiences to strive for an even better performance.

Marduk was injured in the 63rd minute of the second half when he was brought down by an opposing player while attempting a dribble breakthrough. He was forced to continue and was replaced by Max Doman. In the 84th minute, Max Doman took a corner kick, and Trossard headed the ball, but it hit the post.

Arsenal ultimately defeated Sporting CP 0-0 at home and advanced to the Champions League semi-finals with a 1-0 aggregate score. In the first leg of the semi-finals, Arsenal will travel to Madrid to face Atletico Madrid of La Liga.

Arsenal striker Martinelli said, "It feels amazing, we are very happy with this achievement, everyone in the dressing room is excited, we are really happy."

“We played very well in the first leg of the quarterfinals, and I think we performed quite well in this match as well. Of course, we could have done better, but that’s football. Sporting CP is also a very good team, and they played very well as well. We are very happy to have kept a clean sheet and advanced, and we can’t wait to play against Atletico Madrid.”

Martinelli shared, “I can’t wait to be in that game; it’s going to be another big one. We played them earlier this season, but it will be a completely different game. We’re really looking forward to it; it’s going to be a tough match. We’ll analyze what we didn’t do well last season and try to do better this season. We’ll give it our all against them.”

“I’ve been training hard for these moments and hoping to help the team. This is my club and my home. I feel very good here, it means a lot to me. We want to win the championship, and I’m very happy with everything we’ve done so far.”

Martinelli also stated, "The Champions League is a very open competition with lots of space to run and play, and we have a good grasp of possession. We are able to find space well, and I really enjoy playing in this competition."

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