Arteta Worried Over Martinelli Ahead Of Europa League Against PSV

Arsenal will host PSV Eindhoven today as they look to make it four consecutive wins in Group A of the Europa League but Mikel Arteta is sweating about his player’s fitness.

According to various reports, Gabriel Martinelli was absent from training today as Arsenal geared up for the Europa League clash with PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates.

The Brazil international played the full 90 minutes against Leeds United on Sunday and is understood to have picked up a kick to his calf and presumably won’t be risked tomorrow.

The 21-year-old is probably due a rest given he’s featured in all 13 of Arsenal’s matches this season; the third most minutes (1,051) of any of Mikel Arteta’s squad behind Granit Xhaka (1,078) and Gabriel Magalhaes (1,080).

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With Emile Smith Rowe still sidelined following groin surgery, it means there’s an opportunity for someone else to stake a claim to a spot on the left flank, most likely Reiss Nelson.

Victory over the Eredivisie outfit will ensure that the Gunners reach the next round of the competition.

The Gunners head into the clash boasting the best form in England, if not globally, having won nine of their opening ten Premier League games as well as all of their European matches thus far.

Nervy 1-0 wins over Bodo/Glimt and Leeds United in their last two games have shown a little cause for concern for Mikel Arteta, but the Spaniard will be confident that his side will be back to their free-flowing best at the Emirates.

In fact, Arteta didn’t completely rule out Zinchenko or Gabriel Martinelli from playing against PSV. The latter of the two missed training on Wednesday as a result of illness.” No, they’re not ruled, but we will see tomorrow what we decide,” he said.

Arsenal U-18s center-half Maldini Kacurri was involved in training on Wednesday, whilst Khanyon Edwards missed the U-21s clash with Northampton Town on Tuesday night as he’s expected to be included in the squad on Thursday.

Originally scheduled to take place a few weeks ago, the Gunners head into the match with PSV knowing a win will put them in a prime position to secure top spot in Group A. Arsenal then travel to Southampton on Sunday before the return fixture in Holland in eight days’ time.