Arsenal couldn’t have wished for worse news at the beginning of their mid season break to Dubai as they were dealt yet another setback to their season.
It has been confirmed that Gabriel Martinelli will miss more than a month with a hamstring injury as it leaves Mikel Arteta with just four fit forward players.
Arteta could have used Dubai to work on attacking patterns but now he may have to use the trip to figure out how Arsenal are going to cope with the loss of the Brazilian for some crucial fixtures.
Arsenal fans were furious the club failed to make any January signing and the decision has already come back to haunt the club within days of the window slamming shut.
Arsenal fans react to Gabriel Martinelli’s injury
Arsenal fans have taken to X to react to the news of Martinelli’s injury and the frustrations are being directed in the same place.
One Arsenal fan on X wrote: “Surely there’s no way a good majority of people at the club don’t lose their jobs? This ain’t bad luck it is the highest level of incompetence I’ve ever seen in my life at any sporting franchise before, people lost their jobs for a lot less.”
Another Arsenal fan wrote: “Do Arsenal still think not making a signing in January was a good idea?? Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is insanity. Congratulations to all involved. Again.”
There was more anger aimed at the Arsenal hierarchy when one fan wrote: “Masterclass in incompetence from Arsenal. Of course you had the PR mouthpieces a few days ago telling us how not going for any player was a show of strength and strategic planning.”
One disgruntled fan simply wrote: “We are absolutely cooked. It might be the end for us honestly.”
Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling have to share Martinelli’s workload
The injury heaps even more pressure on a wilting attacking line for the Gunners. Kai Havertz has persevered in the striker role but is not the clinical finisher Arsenal require in big moments.
Ethan Nwaneri has excelled in his first season in senior football but is still just 17 years old and cannot be held responsible for carrying Arsenal’s attacking threat.
The burden now falls on the more experienced duo of Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling to help the Gunners through a tough period.
Both players are more than capable of stepping up and delivering performances that can help Arsenal claim the points needed in the absence of Martinelli – the time has come for them both to prove it.
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