Arsenal suffered yet another loss, this time at the hands of Manchester City in the EFL Cup and to make matters worse, Gabriel Martinelli had to be taken off with an injury.
The youngster took a knock in the first-half of the match and initially, it looked really bad. But he managed to come back out for the second-half, only to be taken off after being on the pitch for a few minutes.
And as soon as he was taken off, there were whispers that Gabriel Martinelli could be on the treatment table once again.
Thankfully, Mikel Arteta has delivered more positive news regarding the injury, claiming that the Brazilian did not sustain any serious damage.
He said, as per the club’s official website: “It was just a really bad kick on his shin and it was swelling up and he could not continue.
“[At half-time] he was pushing, he was saying he was completely fine, that he wanted to carry on. He had a scar that wasn’t open and he wanted to try, so we gave him the opportunity to try and when he was on the pitch he was uncomfortable so it was an easy decision to take him off.
“He has a unique energy and a way to transmit his passion for the game. He plays the game in a different way to any other player. It’s hard to compare him, but what I have to say is that it’s great to have him back.
Gabriel Martinelli hurt again, a pity. pic.twitter.com/LQJs0RztHG
— Football (@OnlyFootb) December 22, 2020
“To bring that experience, that fight… to play against this opponent after such a long time out, in the way he did in the first half, it’s something to be really proud and happy about.”
This is great news for the Arsenal fans since Gabriel Martinelli was one of the best performers in the squad before he picked up that long-term injury a couple of months ago.
But having said that, there’s very little chance he will be fully fit before Arsenal take on Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Boxing Day match comes too early for the youngster and we are sure the manager will not want to risk using him, especially since he’s just returned from a really long injury.
So with Gabriel Martinelli not likely to be fit and Aubameyang also on the sidelines, Eddie Nketiah could get a spot in the starting line-up vs the Blues on Saturday.
