Arsenal striker, Gabriel Martinelli has allayed fears of injury concern after emerging as a doubt for the Premier League clash against Chelsea this weekend.
The Brazilian teenage striker limped out of the Gunners’ League Cup defeat to Manchester City on Tuesday night, which provided a cause for concern. This is now a boost ahead of the Boxing Day clash against Chelsea.
Martinelli claimed an assist for Alexandre Lacazette to equalise against City. He got injured in a collision with City keeper Zack Steffen in first-half stoppage time which left him limping.
Many Arsenal fans were relieved to see the teenager reappeared for the second half. But that soon turned to concern when he had to be replaced by Nicolas Pepe shortly after the restart.
After his exit, the Gunners slumped to a heavy loss at the Emirates Stadium. Apart from missing a semi-final clash with Manchester United which defeated Everton from late Edison Cavani’s strike, the pressure on Mikel Arteta has increased.
The striker took to his social media page to confirm that he is fine and will be set for selection against the Blues at Stamford Bridge this weekend.
Feeling fine and ready to go again ❤️🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/WMc8PfNuEv
— Gabriel Martinelli (@g_martinelli01) December 23, 2020
Martinelli could be Mikel Arteta’s saviour against Chelsea
The Brazilian was seen playing with hunger and vigour against City. Such is a good sign that Arteta needs in his team right now to start getting results as pressures keep mounting on him after each match.
With his availability, Arteta should be to call upon him for the huge Premier League game. Getting a result against the Blues could be a better team to come as it would gear the team and restore their belief that they can still do it.
Since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is still battling calf injury, it is expected that Arteta will hand Martinelli successive starts in quick succession following the 19-year-old’s long layoff with a knee injury.
But the Gunners boss is certainly happy to have the youngster available again.
“Well, I think Gabi has a unique energy and a way to transmit his passion for the game.
“I think he plays the game in a different way to any other player, we can’t compare him. But what we have to say that it’s great to have him back.
“To bring that spirit and that fight. And to play against this opponent the way he did it in that first half, I think that it’s something to be really proud and happy with.”
Arsenal might not have gotten the result they so wanted against the Citizens, but with such showing before Martinelli’s exit, the belief is beginning to return gradually.
All they need to do is to play with more conviction and success and the results will come. Can that against Chelsea?, let’s wait for it.
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