Concern for Arsenal as star player is spotted on crutches ahead of FC Porto clash
Arsenal will welcome FC Porto to the Emirates Stadium for a UEFA Champions League round of 16 clash on Tuesday night.
Ahead of the crucial game, Arsenal is buoyed with concerns over the availability of one star player who was spotted with crutches after the Premier League win against Brentford on Saturday.
The Gunners faced a setback as Brazilian star Gabriel Martinelli was spotted on crutches after their hard-fought 2-1 victory.
The Brazilian winger, who sustained a foot injury in the previous match against Sheffield United, was not included in the squad for the Brentford clash.
Having gone down initially when taking a shot on the edge of the box, he only lasted a short period before needing to be replaced.
Martinelli was helped off the field by two physios as he struggled to walk in the aftermath of a collision with a Blades defender charging down a shot. At the end of the game at Bramall Lane, Mikel Arteta had said it was not a serious injury, but the sight of the winger on crutches tells a different story.
Martinelli’s absence raises concerns for Arsenal ahead of their crucial Champions League fixture against Porto on Tuesday. With the Gunners trailing 1-0 on aggregate, Arteta will be keen to field his strongest lineup, making the Brazilian winger’s potential absence a significant blow.
Although Arteta has alternative options, such as deploying Leandro Trossard on the left flank, Martinelli’s absence will be keenly felt. Trossard, while technically proficient, lacks Martinelli’s pace and directness, potentially altering Arsenal’s attacking dynamics.
Despite the setback, Arsenal’s resilience will be tested as they aim to overcome Porto and advance in the Champions League. With Martinelli’s form pivotal in recent matches, Arteta will hope for a swift recovery to bolster Arsenal’s attacking options and maintain their momentum in crucial fixtures ahead.
