Arsenal journalist Charles Watts has shared an update concerning the fitness of Gunners attacker Gabriel Martinelli.
This comes after Watts recently uploaded a video onto his YouTube channel where he spoke about a number of topics concerning the north London club.
On the subject of Martinelli, who picked up an injury during the warm-up of Arsenal recent FA Cup victory over Newcastle United, Watts had this to say on the player and whether or not he’d be available to play against the Toon in their league clash on Monday night. (12.02)
He said: “Martinelli should be okay which is going to be a big boost again we’ve feared when he went down against Newcastle in the FA Cup before that match in the warm-up that he was going be out for a long, long time.
“That’s not been the case, he’s been training, Arsenal are hopeful to have him available for the game on Monday night. I doubt he’ll come straight into the starting XI if he is available, I imagine he’ll be on the bench but that is still a boost to have him because Arsenal certainly lack that energy and that drive when he’s not in the side.”
Arsenal signed the winger back in the 2019 summer transfer window from Brazilian club Ituano for a fee of £6.03 million.
Since then, the 19-year-old has gone on to make 30 appearances for Mikel Arteta’s side in which he has managed to score 10 goals and provide five assists along the way (per Transfermarkt).
TIF Thoughts on Charles Watts’ update on Martinelli…
Given how Martinelli has struggled with injuries in the past, it will be good news for Arsenal to have him fit and available to play against Newcastle.
Would you start Martinelli against Newcastle?
Yes
No
However, with the Brazilian only having earned himself a season rating of 6.58/10 for his league performances so far in this campaign, he will need to prove himself if he wants to be a regular starter for the club moving forward.