Arsenal have received the worst possible news with regards to Gabriel Martinelli, now the Brazilian is set for a spell on the sidelines with several important matches coming up.
On top of the disappointment of Arsenal being eliminated from the Carabao Cup at the semi-final stage by Newcastle United, on Wednesday another blow occurred.
Martinelli was in clear pain as he seemed to suffer a hamstring injury at St. James’ Park. The 23-year-old went to ground clutching the back of his thigh and Mikel Arteta was forced into first-half a substitution, bringing on Ethan Nwaneri in his place.
Afterwards, the boss clarified: “Yes, he felt something. I think it was his hamstring and he wasn’t comfortable to continue so we’ll have to do an MRI scan tomorrow to see the extent of the injury.”
With no new press conference to provide answers this Friday, a report from The Athletic has now stated Martinelli is in line to miss ‘at least a month’ of action, rather than get a lucky escape.
Here, football.london summarises the seven matches the winger could possibly miss as part of this latest setback:
Fixtures Martinelli would certainly miss
- February 15 vs Leicester City (A) at 12:30pm – Premier League
- February 22 vs West Ham United (H) at 3pm – Premier League
- February 26 vs Nottingham Forest (A) at 7:30pm – Premier League
Fixtures Martinelli could possibly miss
- March 4/5 vs Juventus/PSV Eindhoven or Feyenoord/AC Milan (A) at TBD – Champions League Ro16 1st leg
- March 9 vs Manchester United (A) at 4:30pm – Premier League
- March 11/12 vs Juventus/PSV Eindhoven or Feyenoord/AC Milan (H) at TBD – Champions League Ro16 2st leg
- March 16 vs Chelsea (H) at TBD – Premier League
Under the impression that the Brazilian would be ruled out for at least a month, he would certainly miss the three Premier League fixtures in that time frame.
Leicester and West Ham, fighting in the bottom half of the table, will present stern challenges whilst high-flying Forest have turned the City Ground into a fortress against other teams vying for European qualification.
With it undetermined how much longer he will be missing beyond the move, the Gunners play a further four matches before the first international break of the calendar year takes place.
Either side of an away visit to Man United in the league, Arsenal will take part in a Champions League round of 16 tie. The opponent will only be confirmed later this month and can be drawn from the winner of two play-offs contested between Juventus and PSV, or Feyenoord and Milan.
Last up before the March break is an all-London clash with rivals Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.
As things stand Arsenal are six points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, though with the Reds’ game in hand to come against Everton next Wednesday the gap could open to nine points the next time Arteta’s men take to the field.
Prior injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus leave the manager with only Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling as senior attacking options following the decision to not recruit in the January transfer window.
Nwaneri, 17, filled in on Wednesday night as stated and could also be set for a bigger role in the upcoming period.
