Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update on William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli ahead of Arsenal’s visit to Burnley on Saturday afternoon.
Martin Odegaard remains sidelined with an MCL injury, while Gabriel Jesus, Noni Madueke and Kai Havertz continue to recover from their respective fitness issues.
Meanwhile, Saliba was forced off against Crystal Palace on Sunday, and Gabriel Martinelli sustained a knock in the same clash.
The pair missed the Gunners’ Carabao Cup encounter with Brighton on Wednesday, and Arteta has now provided a fresh update regarding both players’ fitness status.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to Turf Moor, the Spanish manager confirmed that Martinelli will be unavailable, while Saliba is a doubt.
“Martinelli is still out. Saliba, we still have to wait and see,” he said.
“The rest are still getting closer, in the right direction.”
Arsenal don’t need to risk William Saliba or Gabriel Martinelli
Regardless of how fit either player is, there is no need for Arsenal to risk them, particularly against a side like Burnley, whom they should comfortably beat.
Christian Mosquera was signed exactly for scenarios like this – to protect Saliba and not overplay him when he’s not necessarily fully ready to play.
The Spaniard has shown himself to be perfectly adept and will be more than capable of dealing with the threat that Burnley pose.
Meanwhile, Leandro Trossard can simply start ahead of Martinelli on the left – a decision that may have been made regardless of the Brazilian’s fitness.
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