MARTINELLI CLOSING IN ON A BOYHOOD DREAM

GABRIEL MARTINELLI described the showdown with Paris Saint-Germain as the biggest game of his life.

- By John Cross

And it also represents a huge chance for Mikel Arteta to transform an underwhelming season into an historic one.

This is Arsenal's first Champions League semi-final in 16 years and, despite all their success down the years, they have been massive underachievers in Europe.

That is why winger Martinelli regards tonight as a massive opportunity for this generation to write their name into club folklore.

Martinelli said: “It’s the biggest game of my life. Since I was five or six years old, it’s been a dream. We deserve to be here and we are ready.

“It’s an opportunity for our lives. We deserve to win something for one of the great clubs in Europe.

“We have an amazing opportunity and we will go into the game believing we can do it.

“We have this dream, the club have never won the title and we deserve it because we are one of the greatest clubs in the world.”