Will Martinelli Miss the Burnley Match? Is Saliba Doubtful?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Martinelli ruled out for Burnley clash.
- Saliba's involvement remains uncertain.
- Gunners aim to maintain their impressive form.
- Arteta optimistic about upcoming returns from injuries.
- Injuries highlight the need for squad depth.
London, Oct 31 (NationPress) Arsenal's head coach Mikel Arteta announced on Friday that Gabriel Martinelli will be sidelined for Saturday’s Premier League match against Burnley due to an injury, while William Saliba remains uncertain for the game. This news arrives as the Gunners seek to extend their stellar performance in the league.
Martinelli, who represents Brazil internationally, had to leave the pitch during Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace last Sunday. Meanwhile, Saliba was taken off at halftime during the match at the Emirates Stadium after sustaining a knock.
“Martinelli is still out, and we have to monitor Saliba. We will have another training session today, and the other players are progressing, but they are not available yet,” Arteta shared with the media on Friday.
After Martinelli was absent from Wednesday's 2-0 triumph over Brighton, Arteta was questioned about his expected return. “We aren’t sure yet, but it seems this match is coming too soon for him,” he mentioned.
The Gunners’ manager also touched upon the statuses of long-term injured players Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Martin Odegaard, and Gabriel Jesus, expressing hope for their return to the field soon.
“I would estimate a few weeks, and some might return quite soon, provided their recovery continues positively,” he stated. “It’s challenging to pinpoint an exact match, especially with the upcoming international break lasting two weeks. But I believe we will be closer to having them back afterward,” the Arsenal manager added.
“I can’t guarantee it will be all of them, but we should be near. I’m excited because these are exceptional players. I witness their determination daily, and having them back after such an extended period will be a significant boost for the squad. I’m genuinely optimistic that they will return shortly.”