Ahead of a tricky run of fixtures, which also includes the start of the Gunners’ Champions League campaign, it looks like they’ll be without winger Gabriel Martinelli for the foreseeable after he picked up an injury in Sunday’s win.
Martinelli thought he’d given the visitors a first-half lead on Merseyside when he burst in behind and finished smartly beyond Jordan Pickford after receiving Fabio Vieira’s through ball. However, his effort was later ruled out following VAR intervention with Eddie Nketiah contentiously deemed offside in the build-up.
The Brazilian picked up his injury during this goal sequence and was substituted right after. However, it was his replacement, Leandro Trossard.
excellent finish ensured Arsenal scored their first win at Goodison since 2017 and moved them up to fourth in the Premier League table alongside Liverpool and Tottenham on 13 points.
While Martinelli has endured a relatively quiet start to the new season, his absence would be a big blow to the Gunners, especially given that their schedule gets more compact over the next few weeks. However, as he proved at Goodison, Arsenal are also blessed with an able deputy in Trossard.
An enticing North London Derby is next up for the Gunners domestically, and it looks like Arteta will be without his Brazilian winger when Spurs come to town.
Arteta said: “He felt, I think, something in the action in the run for the goal. He’s not normally a player to have muscular issues, but he had to come off. Let’s see.
The boss confirmed that the 22-year-old had sustained a hamstring injury which would suggest that he’s set for a period on the sidelines. However, it won’t be until the player undergoes a scan on Monday that we’ll understand just how long he’ll be out of action.
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