Arsenal faces another setback as Gabriel Martinelli is set to sit out Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Porto due to a foot injury sustained against Sheffield United.
After a challenge in the match, Martinelli needed assistance from medical staff to leave the pitch. His absence continued in the Brentford game, where Arsenal secured a victory, propelling them to the top of the Premier League.
Martinelli, aged 22, also missed training on Monday ahead of the Porto match, with the Portuguese side leading 1-0 on aggregate.
The extent of Martinelli’s absence remains uncertain, posing a challenge for manager Mikel Arteta’s lineup decisions.
“Not many updates – we still have 24 hours and we’re trying to have everybody fit an available. He [Tomiyasu] did the first part, Gabi didn’t, but that’s what we’re hoping for [Tomiyasu to be involved]. Percentage you want [on Martinelli playing]? There are options. Sorry to disappoint you!” Arteta said.
Martinelli’s absence will significantly impact Arteta’s team, considering his impressive stats of eight goals and five assists this season.
Additionally, his selection by Brazil coach Dorival Junior for upcoming friendlies against England and Spain is now uncertain.
Arteta expressed frustration over the injury troubles affecting his team this season but is hopeful as some experienced players are returning. He also urged his team to elevate their performance to overturn their Last 16 tie.
“Well unfortunately we haven’t had them for long periods this season, the same for someone like Thomas [Partey] as well but we have others as well that will learn from experiences of playing those games and the boys will be ready tomorrow,” Arteta said of his experienced players.
“Well everybody that is available has to be available enough to play because you might have to play after five minutes or from the start and the boys are in a good place. We’re certainly going to have to tweak a few things to generate much more than what we did against them.
“It’s the level of the Champions League; you’re facing top teams, the fact that there are two games as well plays on your mind and we’re going to have to be better tomorrow. Every week, every opponent has their strengths and weaknesses and the way that they approach the game and now we know them a bit better.
“We have played these kind of games many times in the Premier League, we played one two days ago. We’ll just focus on being ourselves and do more of the things that we can control better than we did a few weeks ago.”
