Arteta Provides an Update on Martinelli ‘s INJURY

December 23, 2020

Arsenal have been dealt a major blow ahead of their crucial clash with Chelsea after Gabriel Martinelli limped out of the game with Manchester City through injury.

Teenage forward Martinelli was making his first start in nine months having finally overcome a knee injury suffered in training.

And he had shown his class with a brilliant run and cross to set up Alexandre Lacazette for the equaliser in the Carabao Cup quarter-final at the Emirates.

But the 19-year-old took a nasty bang to the top of his foot in a challenge with City goalkeeper Zack Steffen in first-half stoppage time, which needed three minutes of treatment.

Arteta was quick to dismiss any fears that Martinelli’s injury was serious after the game.

Martinelli tried to continue after getting a kick in the first-half but hobbled off looking frustrated.

Bur Arteta says it was just a bit of swelling and doesn’t appear too serious.

He said: “No, no, no, it was just a really bad kick on his shin and it was swelling up, and he was in pain and came off.”