Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, is relatively optimistic about the injury situation at the club, as only a few key players are currently dealing with significant injuries.
This provides a positive outlook for the team during the March international break. One player who caused some concern was Gabriel Martinelli, the Brazilian winger.
He had to be substituted during Arsenal’s 6-0 victory over Sheffield United earlier this month due to a foot injury.
Arteta addressed Martinelli’s injury along with other squad matters after the win. However, the severity of Martinelli’s injury seemed to decrease when he was seen using crutches after Arsenal’s 2-1 triumph over Brentford. This precautionary measure was likely taken to ensure proper healing of his foot injury. Before Arsenal’s Champions League match against Porto, Arteta gave an update on Martinelli’s injury, mentioning that Martinelli hadn’t been able to train but expressing hope for his recovery.
Martinelli’s absence from the Brazil squad for the March internationals against England and Spain further emphasized the seriousness of his injury, especially as other key Selecao players also opted out due to injuries. Despite this setback, there is optimism that Martinelli will recover in time for Arsenal’s crucial Premier League match against Manchester City after the international break. In their previous encounter in October, Martinelli played a decisive role by scoring the winning goal, securing Arteta’s second league victory against his former colleague Pep Guardiola. Throughout the season, the 22-year-old has been a significant contributor for Arsenal, appearing in 25 Premier League matches and displaying his versatility with six goals and four assists from the left wing. Additionally, his performances in the Champions League against Sevilla and Lens have been noteworthy, highlighting his importance to Arteta’s squad.