Gabriel Martinelli risks Porto anger with two-word comment before Arsenal rematch

Gabriel Martinelli has upped the ante ahead of Arsenal's Champions League round of 16 second-leg clash against Porto, suggestion they are a 'lesser team'.

The Gunners are trailing 1-0 from the first leg due to a last-minute goal from Galeno. Despite this, Mikel Arteta's team are still considered favourites to move through to the quarter-finals, especially given their recent strong attacking performances.

Martinelli, the Brazil orward, is confident that Arsenal can overcome the one-goal deficit and progress to the next round. He expressed his optimism about the team's chances, reports the Mirror.

When asked what Arsenal needs to do to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2010, Martinelli told TNT Brazil: «We have to minimise the mistakes and score the goals we need.

»We are confident. We know the potential of our team. We are going to play at home and we are going to go all out to win the game.

«Sometimes you don't lose Championships in big games, but in the game against lesser teams. I think you have to take every game seriously and be very focused, because every game is important.»

Porto manager Sergio Conceicao may have sorted his team talk already thanks to Martinelli's 'lesser team' comment, which could serve as bulletin board material in the dressing room. After the first-leg loss last month, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta issued a similarly confident declaration

«We will learn from it. Now it is clear, it is half-time,» Arteta said. «If you want to be in the quarter-finals you have to beat your opponent and that will be the purpose and the plan.»

However, before meeting Porto again, Arsenal have another game to play. The Gunners will face Brentford at The Emirates, on Saturday night.

A win would take them top of