LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Aston Villa FC at Emirates Stadium on January 18, 2025 in London, England.
Arsenal wingers Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka are currently out of action with hamstring injuries, and neither of them are expected to return to the pitch this month.
But with Arsenal learning their Champions League last-16 draw against PSV Eindhoven on Friday, the question is whether either of the wingers could be fit for that tie.
Speaking in his press conference ahead of Arsenal’s match against West Ham United, Mikel Arteta wasn’t certain, but he did suggest Martinelli is the more likely of the two.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal reacts following substitution due to a hamstring injury during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St James' Park on February 05, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
“I’m not sure, that’s a question for the doctors,” Arteta began. “They are both evolving really well, probably Gabi Martinelli is a bit ahead of Bukayo because of the extent of the injury.
“But then we will have to see the next steps and the previous weeks before that, how the boys are feeling and what we are prepared to do.”
It’s still perhaps overly optimistic to suggest that Martinelli or Saka will play any part for Arsenal before the international break in March.
John Cross reported for the Mirror this week that Arteta is hoping to have both players back afterwards, which would mean a return against Fulham on April 1st.
Arsenal will be keen not to rush either player back, but particularly Saka. As Arteta highlights, Saka’s injury was more serious and required surgery, so the club will need to be careful with him now.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Arsenal FC and AS Monaco at Emirates Stadium on December 11, 2024.
As well as Arsenal’s Champions League tie against PSV, the Gunners also have to play third-place Nottingham Forest away from home ahead of the March break, as well as big-six sides Manchester United and Chelsea. It’s not going to be an easy run.
Before all of that, Arsenal welcome West Ham United to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
0 Comments