Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli is currently sidelined after picking up a hamstring injury during Sunday’s Premier League clash against Everton.
Arsenal have been handed an injury blow ahead of Sunday’s North London Derby clash against Tottenham Hotspur, with Gabriel Martinelli not spotted in Friday’s training session. The Brazilian international was forced off during last week’s 1-0 victory against Everton, pulling up clutching his right hamstring before matchwinner Leandro Trossard eventually replaced him in the first-half.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta then admitted he was unsure whether or not the 22-year-old would be fit to face Spurs this weekend. Speaking about his side’s injuries during his pre-match press conference on Friday, Arteta said: “With Gaby we are still assessing him and so let’s see whether he can make the game or not.
“Thomas [Partey] for sure is out. And the rest hopefully available, we still have two training sessions but there were no big issues in mid-week.”
When asked if Martinelli was ruled out of the game against the Lillywhites, the Spaniard simply replied: “No.” But the talented attacker wasn’t spotted training with his teammates during Friday’s session at the club’s London Colney Ground, a major blow ahead of such an important game.
The former Ituano forward established himself as one of the most consistent left-wingers in the Premier League last season, netting 15 league goals – a tally that is even more impressive when you consider the fact that none of those finishes were penalties. But if Martinelli is sidelined come Sunday, Arsenal still have plenty of options to start at left wing.
The aforementioned Trossard was deployed from the left flank during Wednesday night’s 4-0 Champions League victory against PSV Eindhoven, netting one goal and providing an assist in what was a hugely impressive display from the Belgian international. Arteta also has some solid alternatives in the form of Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe – who both came off the bench during the game against the Dutch outfit.
