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Arsenal’s stance towards Gabriel Martinelli after talks with Brazil’s medical team
The international break has never been a great time for club fans, but Arsenal fans will really be losing patience with this spell.
Gunners captain Martin Odegaard is now on the sidelines because of an injury he picked up during the September international break.
Now, two more Arsenal stars have suffered a knock, which has raised doubts over their availability ahead of the Gunners’ return to action this weekend.
Bukayo Saka is one player, having suffered an apparent hamstring issue in the defeat to Greece, though it’s not thought to be a major problem.
“Bukayo would have been close (to face Finland on Sunday), but it would have been unfair to take a risk with him,” Lee Carsley said, as per .
“He’s a positive person and I expect him to be fine.”
The other is Gabriel Martinelli, who has been unable to train with Brazil’s national team of late due to a calf problem.
As per , the 23-year-old missed Brazil’s final training session on Monday afternoon with the rest of his teammates.
Brazil’s medical staff have described Martinelli’s problem as a ‘muscle edema’, which is where the muscle swells from too much fluid.
The Arsenal star is undergoing treatment with Brazil’s medical team and is not expected to play a part in the match against Peru.
Now, Charles Watts has shared what his understanding is with regards to communications between the Gunners and Brazil’s medical team.
Arsenal not too concerned about Gabriel Martinelli fitness
Watts, writing on , says Arsenal don’t seem to be too concerned about Martinelli’s fitness ahead of Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Bournemouth.
Indeed, the Gunners have reportedly said they’re not overly fussed about their attacking ace returning to England right away.
“My understanding is that – following conversations with the Brazilian team’s medical staff – there is not much concern at Arsenal over the severity of Martinelli’s issue,” said Watts.
“It might still force him to miss Saturday’s game, but that is a decision that will be taken on Friday before the team makes the trip to the south coast following their final training session at London Colney.
“Arsenal have not insisted that Martinelli returns to the UK early. They’re comfortable with him remaining with Brazil and returning as scheduled with Gabriel Magalhaes following the match with Peru.”
READ MORE: Kieran Tierney has decided whether he wants to leave Arsenal to head back to Celtic
Who Arsenal could start in attack if Martinelli and Saka are both absent against Bournemouth
Watts acknowledged that it’s too early to determine whether Martinelli will be fit to play in the trip to the Vitality Stadium.
However, the Arsenal expert stressed that Arteta has other options at his disposal.
“If he (Martinelli) were to miss out then Arteta does have a fair few options to call upon, even if Saka is also absent,” said Watts.
“Gabriel Jesus is one of those options. He struggled playing as the central striker against Southampton before the international break, but he’s shown he can be a handy option playing out wide.
“He can play on the right or on the left and it would not surprise me to see Arteta utilise him out wide at Bournemouth, although the more likely alternative to Martinelli on the left would be Raheem Sterling.”