Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli is set to miss more than a month after suffering a hamstring injury during the club’s Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle on Wednesday.
The Gunners are already without striker Gabriel Jesus for the rest of the season due to an ACL injury, while Bukayo Saka is not expected to return from his hamstring issue until mid-March at the earliest.
The club failed to secure a new forward in the January transfer window, leaving Kai Havertz as the only recognized striker. Arsenal reportedly had a bid for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins rejected, while also showing interest in Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Mathys Tel.
“We are going to have to be flexible in the front line,” said Mikel Arteta before the cup defeat. “Those who are fit, we need to make sure they stay fit. Leo [Trossard], Ethan [Nwaneri], [Gabriel] Martinelli, Raheem [Sterling] can play in that position. Let’s see in relation to how everybody is, moment and opponent. But at some point, we’re going to have to try something different.”
Arteta also expressed disappointment over the club’s lack of signings, stating, “We had a clear intention… the window is open to explore the opportunity to improve the squad. We haven’t achieved it. We are disappointed in that sense but we are very aware we want to bring in a certain kind of player, we have to be very disciplined in that.”
Martinelli, who has traveled with the squad to their warm-weather training camp in Dubai, could miss key Premier League fixtures against Leicester City, West Ham, and Nottingham Forest in February, as well as potential clashes against Manchester United and Chelsea in March. He is also a doubt for Arsenal’s Champions League last-16 tie at the start of March.
Martinelli was substituted in the 37th minute against Newcastle after holding the back of his thigh, with Ethan Nwaneri replacing him. Arsenal currently sit second in the Premier League, six points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
The team departed for Dubai on Thursday, with Arteta overseeing training on Friday. While Martinelli and Saka traveled with the squad, they were not seen participating in training, though Ben White returned following knee surgery.
Source: Swifteradio.com
