Praising Martinelli for the hunger the 22-year-old displayed to get back out on the pitch, Arteta said: “He’s been saying for a few weeks that ‘I was going to be there for City’. Obviously, we were saying that ‘Gabi it would be too early for you’, and then yesterday (Saturday) he said, ‘Boss, I told you, I’m going to be ready for this’.
“And it happened after 30 minutes. Leo [Trossard] felt something in his hamstring. So, when I turned around, Gabi was already ready, to go with his kit, and saying, ‘Boss, I’m ready to go’. He’s just got the joy of a kid, his mentality is incredible at his age, and it’s just a joy to have him because today he could change the game and he was really helpful for us to win.”Bukayo Saka missed the Gunners’ 1-0 victory over Manchester City [Pedro Soares / SPP]
THE international break arrives at the perfect time for Arsenal, handing manager Mikel Arteta a much-needed opportunity to get key players back to full fitness.
Bukayo Saka was ruled out of England’s double-header with Australia and Italy after being assessed by medical staff at St George’s Park.
The winger missed the Gunners’ 1-0 victory over Manchester City on Sunday after being substituted in successive matches against rivals Tottenham, Bournemouth and Lens in the Champions League.
From kicks to his ankle to a reported niggling achilles injury, Saka’s bouncebackability has certainly been tested. It is believed a slight hamstring strain is what has led to the 22-year-old finally being sidelined.
Saka still turned up for England training on Monday, but after being evaluated by medical staff he was released back to his club to continue his rehabilitation.
After seeing Arsenal beat City in the Premier League for the first time since December 2015, Arteta made it clear that Saka wouldn’t be available to represent his country. “He has not had a single training session, so he will be out,” said the Gunners boss. “He’s not available to play football at the moment.”
However, Arsenal are confident that Saka will be fit for their London derby against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, October 21.
Meanwhile, William Saliba has pulled out of the France squad after aggravating a long-standing toe injury. The defender was instrumental alongside Gabriel in Arsenal’s win over City, keeping Erling Haaland quiet as the normally formidable forward failed to muster a single shot on target. Saliba will now be assessed at Arsenal’s London Colney training centre, with the club again optimistic that he will be available to face Chelsea after the international break.
0 Comments