Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said that Gabriel Martinelli is available to play against Luton Town after his cameo appearance at Manchester City on Sunday.
The Brazil international was deemed doubtful for the trip to Manchester last weekend due to a foot injury, but he managed to make the bench in the end.
Martinelli was brought in for the final 20 minutes in place of Bukayo Saka. He could have scored the winner, had Leandro Trossard squared the ball to him.
Speaking in today’s press conference, Arteta was asked if Martinelli is fit to play tomorrow.
The Spaniard said that he is ‘certainly’ in contention, having been available to play against a really tough opponent at the Etihad Stadium over the weekend.
He told reporters: “He is because he was available to play against a really tough opponent. He certainly is today. We will train later and see how he is tomorrow.”
Martinelli could be eased into action by Arteta
The Brazilian sustained a cut to his left leg during the 6-0 win over Sheffield United on the road. He subsequently missed the next two games against Brentford and Porto.
Martinelli was deemed fit to make the matchday squad versus Pep Guardiola’s side, but he was lacking match fitness to make the XI. He was restricted to a cameo appearance.
With the short turnaround time to face Luton, we believe the £180,000-a-week star could be eased into action. He could come off the bench at the hour mark this time around.
With the fixtures coming thick and fast after the international break, Arteta may ideally want the Brazilian to start when the Gunners host Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
In the short term, Arsenal need to return to winning ways against Luton to keep up the pressure on Liverpool, who are now the league leaders with a two-point advantage.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Capology.com
