Arsenal handed yet another international break injury worry after Bukayo Saka update
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be holding his breath once again after reports emerged from Brazil about forward Gabriel Martinelli ahead of a match against Peru
Arsenal’s hatred of international breaks could be deepened after news of an injury scare for Gabriel Martinelli surfaced from Brazil.
Martinelli left for international duty full of confidence after returning two goals and two assists in his last five games for Arsenal. He made a substitute appearance in Brazil’s crucial 2-1 win over Chile in Santiago on Friday before a potential disaster struck.
TNT Sports Brazil have reported that Martinelli has been troubled by a calf problem in the build-up to their next World Cup qualifier against Peru in Brasilia. He was spotted with the team doctor at the hotel on Sunday and went to have a precautionary scan after training.
The injury isn’t thought to be a significant one, but Arsenal supporters will have to hold their breath and await the scan results. It will be a familiar feeling for Gunners fans, given the recent events involving Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka on international duty.
Odegaard has been sidelined since picking up a serious injury on September 9 while playing for Norway. The Arsenal captain is fighting hard to return as soon as possible, but it seemed as though another significant blow had been struck on Thursday when Saka hobbled out of England’s 2-1 defeat by Greece.
Saka was then left out of the squad for Sunday’s Nations League game against Finland in Helsinki. He returned for further assessment at Arsenal on what appeared to be a hamstring issue. Thankfully, Lee Carsley then delivered the news all Arsenal fans wanted to hear.
“Bukayo would have been close but it would have been unfair to take a risk with him,” Carsley said ahead of the Finland game. “He’s a positive person and I expect him to be fine.” Mikel Arteta will be hoping for a similarly positive outcome with Martinelli, who has found form following a slow start to the campaign.
Arsenal face Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season and will want Martinelli available. Former Premier League striker Darren Bent thinks he could be about to hit his stride.
“That’s the biggest thing – confidence – in any football,” Bent said on talkSPORT. “It doesn’t matter where you play, what level you play, if you haven’t got the confidence, then your performances are going to drop.
“He is working his way back, but you can see the confidence now slowly starting to come back. I believe by Christmas time, he will be absolutely flying. His confidence will be flying, the numbers will be there, and it will be the Martinelli of old.”
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