Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gives injury update on Martinelli after he’s forced off vs Everton and hints it’s ‘not normal’

ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta has provided an update on winger Gabriel Martinelli’s injury.

Martinelli looked to have given Arsenal the lead with his 21st minute strike after being played through by Fabio Vieira.

APMartinelli was forced off early after scoring what he thought was the opener[/caption]

But the goal was ruled out due to Eddie Nketiah being offside in the lead up.

As if the disappointment of not taking the lead wasn’t enough, Martinelli suffered an injury when scoring the disallowed goal.

He was replaced by Leandro Trossard in the 24th minute which proved not to be a killer blow for Arteta’s side.

Trossard would go on to score the only goal of the game with a fine strike in the 69th minute.

Despite Trossard proving to be a more than able deputy, Arsenal will be sweating on the fitness of Martinelli ahead of a huge week for the club.

The Gunners’ Champions League campaign kicks off on Wednesday at home to Dutch side PSV.

It’s the first time Arteta has been in the Champions League as Arsenal manager and the first time the club has competed in the competition since the 2016-17 season under Arsene Wenger.

That game is immediately followed by the North London Derby on Sunday – where both sides go into the clash level on points.

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The two sides sit on 13 points and with identical records of four wins and a draw, although Spurs are currently ahead in the table on goal difference.

On Martinelli’s fitness, 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.”

If Martinelli is to be ruled out of Sunday’s clash with Spurs, it’s clear that Arteta would be more than happy to start Trossard.

On the Belgian’s contribution from the bench, Arteta said: “No one is guaranteed a spot. I don’t have a guaranteed spot. If we set ourselves those standards what every happens externally we can be bigger than that.”

The manager finished by saying: “Everyone will get their chance.”

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