Mikel Arteta gives Gabriel Martinelli Injury Update

Despite sustaining a hamstring injury during Wednesday’s 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final loss to Newcastle United, attacker Gabriel Martinelli is part of Arsenal’s traveling squad, which might provide them a boost ahead of their warm-weather training camp in Dubai.

Arsenal’s injury concerns grew when the Brazilian was substituted off late in the first half. On Friday, he will get a scan to assess the extent of the problem. Manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged Martinelli’s pain and stated that additional evaluation will be required in a post-match statement.

“He felt something; I think it was his hamstring, and he wasn’t comfortable to continue,” Arteta told reporters. “So we will have to have an MRI scan tomorrow to see the extent of the injury.”

Key players including Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu have all missed time due to injuries throughout the Gunners’ season.

They are looking to recuperate and concentrate after their FA Cup and Carabao Cup elimination, so their 10-day break comes at a critical moment.

Arteta has encouraged his players to take advantage of the Dubai camp as an opportunity to start over, since Arsenal’s attention is now entirely on the Premier League and Champions League.

“We need to swallow this one, it’s a tough one,” Arteta said after the defeat to Newcastle. “We have to look forward. First of all, this is going to be a painful one, but while we are in Dubai, we need to recharge and then go again because we still have a lot to play for.”

The Gunners will train at the same location they have in the past, with the goal of reviving the team before the championship run-in.

Last year, a similar midseason vacation was crucial, as Arsenal won 16 of their last 18 league games after returning from Dubai. Arteta will be hoping that the Dubai camp can once again be a game-changing event for Arsenal as they play Leicester City on February 17.