Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli is “expected to be fit” to face Manchester City this weekend, according to journalist Josh Kotecha.
There were rumours circulating online that the Brazilian’s current injury could keep him out for an extended period but Kotecha suggests the Gunners star is likely to return for the trip to the Etihad on Sunday:
As said nicely by Ollie, as of now it appears Martinelli is fine and expected to be fit for Man City. https://t.co/gCos7KkOJR
— Josh Kotecha (@Josh_Kotecha_) March 25, 2024
As Kotecha mentions, he has corroborated information from Ollie at AFTV that Martinelli is winning his fitness battle, having missed Arsenal’s last two games.
What injury has the Arsenal star been sidelined with?
The 22-year-old sustained a cut on his foot during the second half of the 6-0 win over Sheffield United at the start of this month and he hasn’t been seen in action since then.
At the time, manager Mikel Arteta played down the seriousness of the problem, but it soon became clear that Martinelli wouldn’t return straight away.
Martinelli withdrew from international duty
As well as being ruled out for Arsenal’s fixtures against Brentford and Porto, the winger withdrew from Brazil’s squad for their friendlies against England and Spain as he continued his rehabilitation.
What concerned fans is that Martinelli has not been pictured in training yet despite the game against City fast approaching. It prompted suggestions that he may have suffered a serious setback in his recovery.
Based on the information that Kotecha and others have collated, it appears he is on course to be included in the matchday squad this Sunday. For official confirmation of that, though, we shall have to wait and see what Arteta says at his pre-match press conference later this week.
