Journalist Charles Watts has now sent a message to Arsenal fans about Gabriel Martinelli ahead of the trip to face Manchester City.
There are plenty of question marks about the current availability of Gabriel Martinelli for Arsenal.
Martinelli was recently seen on crutches at the Emirates Stadium, after he picked up an injury against Brentford in a Premier League clash. He then missed out on the north London club’s second-leg Champions League triumph over Porto.
Mikel Arteta was quick to play down the injury, as he explained that the Brazilian winger had sustained a gash to his foot.
However, due to this issue, Martinelli was left out of the Brazil squad for this current international break. There have since been rumours amongst the Arsenal fanbase that the 22-year-old could now be set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
Will Gabriel Martinelli be fit for Manchester City v Arsenal?
If the Gunners were to be without Martinelli for their face-off against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City and beyond, then that would be a huge blow. The attacker is regular starter for the Gunners, and whilst he has not had his most prolific campaign in front of goal, he is still hugely important to how Arsenal play and is capable of producing game-changing moments, as he did with his winning goal against Manchester City in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Charles Watts has now shared what he knows about the situation. Speaking on his Inside Arsenal YouTube channel, the reporter said, “we don’t know yet about Gabriel Martinelli. I have to admit, I’ve heard nothing so far on Martinelli and his fitness, and whether he’s going to make it for this game or not. Still some time to find out about that, as we progress during the week, might well hear some whisperings.”
“For now, Arsenal are keeping very closed, sort of tight ranks, over what’s going on with Martinelli…The word we got initially after the injury, even when he was on crutches, was that ‘we don’t think it’s too bad, it’s just precautionary’…but you have to think he’s a doubt.”
How will Arsenal cope without Gabriel Martinelli v Man City?
If he cannot call upon Martinelli for this crucial fixture, then Arteta does have alternative options he can turn to. Leandro Trossard has deputised on the left flank most regularly for the Brazil international, and has often impressed when called upon. However, the Belgian lacks Martinelli’s flair and raw pace, and there is an argument that he is more effective in central areas of the pitch.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus is another option. Whilst he has primarily been used as a striker by Arsenal, Kai Havertz has impressed up front in recent weeks and deserves to keep his place. Jesus would offer a real threat against his former club on the wing, but he may still be a little rusty as he is yet to start a game since his latest return from injury.
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