Mikel Arteta has revealed that Gabriel Martinelli has had a scan yesterday on an ankle injury picked up during the pre-match warm up ahead of the FA Cup win over Newcastle United.
The Brazilian was injured during a group rondo session as he went over his ankle and looked in considerable pain, eventually leaving the field in tears.
Speaking ahead of Thursday’s clash with Crystal Palace, the Spaniard hopes the issue will not be as bad as first feared.
Arteta said: “We don’t know how bad he is. He’s getting a scan this morning. We didn’t look after the game because he was in a lot of pain but yesterday he tested it a little bit better, so let’s hope. We have a scan today so let’s hope it’s not as serious and we can have Gabi back really soon. We will know more tomorrow, certainly.” (via Arsenal)
Should Arsenal sign Yves Bissouma this month?
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As supporters of the club, what more can we do than shed a tear for the young Brazilian. He’s been a revelation since he joined Arsenal from Ituano last summer and has only just returned from a long-term hamstring injury. It would be nothing short of heart-break if he was to face yet another long spell out with an issue especially given how much depth the Gunners lack on the left-wing.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been tasked with playing on the left side of attack and the less said about his displays, the better. The club captain has been nothing short of abysmal, scoring just three Premier League goals whilst rarely getting involved in the build-up play.
Reiss Nelson was tasked with replacing £22.5m-rated Martinelli in the starting line-up following the winger’s heartache pre-match. It’s safe to say the England youth international did nothing to stake his claim for a starting spot with a lousy display. Poor movement and a lack of end product plagued the youngster’s game as he was hooked off in the 56th minute.
Both of the players are a far cry from the youth ace, who has injected some much-needed urgency since his return to action last year. His desire to run at his opposing defender and whipping a delicious ball into the box has made him stand out from his two underperforming colleagues, who look nothing like the winger.
In other news, Arteta has revealed that one defender could be set to return on Thursday evening.
