Mikel Arteta’s injury concerns at Arsenal seem relatively manageable as only a few key players are currently nursing significant knocks, providing a positive outlook for the club during the March international break.
One player who sparked concerns was Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli, who was substituted just over an hour into Arsenal’s 6-0 victory over Sheffield United earlier this month due to a foot cut.
Arteta addressed the situation, mentioning Martinelli’s injury along with other squad considerations after the win.
The severity of Martinelli’s injury seemed to ease when he was spotted using crutches following Arsenal’s 2-1 triumph over Brentford.
This precautionary measure was likely taken to ensure proper healing of the foot cut.
Prior to Arsenal’s Champions League clash against Porto, Arteta provided an update on the injury front, indicating that Martinelli hadn’t participated in training but expressing hope for his recovery.
Martinelli’s withdrawal from the Brazil squad for the March internationals against England and Spain further underscored the seriousness of his injury, with other key Selecao players also opting out due to knocks.
Despite the setback, there is optimism that Martinelli will be fit in time for Arsenal’s crucial Premier League showdown against Manchester City following the international break.
In their previous encounter in October, Martinelli proved decisive 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, featuring in 25 Premier League matches and showcasing his versatility with six goals and four assists from the left wing.
Additionally, his presence in the Champions League has been notable, with impactful performances against Sevilla and Lens, highlighting his importance to Arteta’s squad.
