One Arsenal star now dropped from National Team squad, Mikel Arteta will be relieved

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal have been dealt an injury blow as Gabriel Martinelli’s knock will keep him out for the second game in a row, but there is a positive.

The winger was withdrawn at Bramall Lane with a cut on his foot, and missed Saturday’s victory over Brentford, and could not recover in time for the Champions League tie with Porto.

After the Porto game, Arsenal will have a 19-day break before they travel to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City in a crucial title clash. There is also an International break in this time.

Gabriel Jesus has been left out of the Brazil squad as he continues his recovery from injury, but Gabriel Magalhaes and Martinelli were included ahead of friendly matches against Spain and England. However, Martinelli has now pulled out of the squad.

Gabriel Martinelli pulls out of Brazil squad

The Brazilian Football Federation have now confirmed that Martinelli will no longer be part of the squad for the two friendlies, with Porto winger Wenderson Galeno replacing him.

Galeno scored the winner for Porto in the first leg against Arsenal, and his performances have clearly attracted attention from his National Team as he has now been called up to the squad.

This means that out of Arsenal’s three Brazil stars, only centre-back Gabriel will be risked ahead of the Man City game.

Mikel Arteta will be delighted at Brazil decision over Martinelli

Despite Martinelli’s injury not being a serious one, with the winger expected to return for the Man City game, Mikel Arteta will be relieved that the 22-year-old will be given a proper chance to recover from his knock.

Having a fully fit Martinelli will be crucial to Arsenal’s chances of earning a result at the Etihad. He has scored vital goals in victories over Man City and Liverpool this season, and his pace is currently irreplaceable in the squad.

Whilst his injury is a frustrating one given the timing of the Porto game, Arteta will no longer have to worry about one of his star attackers picking up a further injury prior to the final run-in of the season, and with the likes of Jesus and Fabio Vieira returning, Arsenal may enjoy the benefits of a fully-fit squad for the most difficult part of the campaign.