Martinelli eyes Brazil World Cup spot amid strong Arsenal form

Gabriel Martinelli expressed his desire to represent Brazil at the 2026 World Cup after his impressive form for Arsenal continued against Atletico Madrid.

The 24-year-old scored the second goal in the Gunners’ 4-0 win against Atleti on Tuesday, helping them continue their perfect start in the Champions League this season.

Martinelli has now found the back of the net in each of his last three Champions League appearances for Arsenal, as many as in his previous 18 games in the competition.

He scored the opening goals in their wins against Athletic Bilbao and Olympiacos, while also netting Arsenal’s equaliser against Manchester City in the Premier League last month.

Martinelli made three appearances at the 2022 World Cup, and after scoring against Japan during the most recent international break, he hopes to be on the plane to North America next summer after winning some silverware with Arsenal.

“The World Cup is coming, everyone's excited,” Martinelli told TNT Brasil after Tuesday's game.

“It's eight months away, but for us, it goes by so quickly, playing twice a week, and everyone wants to be prepared because we'll need everyone.

“My focus is on winning titles with Arsenal and being in the World Cup.

“I've been working hard, the whole group wants to go far and win titles. We're giving more and more of ourselves and focusing on the smallest details.”

Since returning to the Champions League in 2023-24, Arsenal have won all nine of their home group or league-phase games by an aggregate score of 27-0.

Indeed, they are the first side in the competition’s history to keep a clean sheet in nine successive home group/league games.

The Gunners also became the seventh side in the Champions League to reach 100 wins in the competition and the third English side to do so, after Manchester United (125) and Chelsea (102).