Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli will make his comeback for the Under 21s in the EFL Trophy this evening, according to Football.London reporter Chris Wheatley.
The Brazilian has been out since June with a knee injury but he has been slowly building up his fitness levels in recent weeks. The Gunners face AFC Wimbledon in the last 32 at Plough Lane, and the striker is expected to play up to an hour of the game:
Exclusive: Gabriel Martinelli will play for Arsenal U21s tonight #EFLTrophy pic.twitter.com/gtKgDKdmb9
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) December 8, 2020
Supporters on Twitter are very happy to hear that Martinelli is on the comeback trail, with many keen to see him in action tonight:
Thank god
— johnny (@upgrader249) December 8, 2020
I’m now watching
— BigSaliba? (@AfcZakariya) December 8, 2020
Yesssssssssssassss. Get ready PL
— Sken2002 (@nevedh) December 8, 2020
He’s back pic.twitter.com/vf41D4tEDF
— Dieumerci (@AFC_Dmman) December 8, 2020
Finally, some good news!
— BlaakSheep (@blaak_sheep) December 8, 2020
Ohh my God he’s back I am very happy to see this
— Fetuga Ayokunle (@AyokunleFetuga) December 8, 2020
LETS GOOOOO
— ︎louis ? (@louisknowsball) December 8, 2020
The best wonderkid in the world is back. We feast ?
— nana arsenal flair (@vanbatmannana) December 8, 2020
Martinelli was a revelation during his first season with Arsenal, having scored 10 goals in 26 appearances, but an operation over the summer meant he did not make an appearance after the restart.
Manager Mikel Arteta will be hoping to have the 19-year-old back in contention as soon as possible to breathe new life into an attack which has struggled to score goals this campaign.
