Arsenal fans have something to smile about as Gabriel Martinelli won’t be heading off to Brazil for the upcoming international break.
Instead, the talented winger will stay with the club, giving manager Mikel Arteta some much-needed assurance amidst a season filled with injury concerns. While Martinelli would likely be disappointed about missing out on representing his country, this break from international duty might be the perfect reset for him.
Only Gabriel Magalhaes will join up with the Brazilian national team for their matches against Venezuela and Uruguay, which is a win for Arsenal. Arteta has already had to juggle multiple fitness issues this season, with players frequently coming back from international breaks injured or exhausted. Martinelli himself picked up an injury in October during the previous international duty, which disrupted Arsenal’s plans.
In a press conference before Arsenal’s game against Bournemouth, Arteta explained how Martinelli had just returned and had barely trained. “Gabby landed yesterday afternoon,” Arteta shared, “so we’ve had very little time with him.” Despite this, Martinelli was eager to get back on the pitch and joined in on some light training to gauge his readiness.
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Though he made it onto the squad list, Martinelli wasn’t fully fit to start against Bournemouth. Arteta opted for a more conservative lineup, one that was soon disrupted further by William Saliba’s red card. Fans were excited to see Martinelli on the field, but it was clear he wasn’t at 100% as he missed a chance to score before Bournemouth netted their first goal.
The match highlighted just how much Arsenal’s attack relies on a healthy squad, especially with other key players like Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard also sidelined due to injuries. Arteta’s options were stretched thin, and Arsenal’s struggle to convert chances cost them valuable points, widening the gap to Manchester City, who are now five points clear.
This break for Martinelli could be crucial, allowing him to fully recover without the stress of long flights to South America and competitive national games. Given Arsenal’s packed schedule, keeping him fresh might help the club hold its own in the race for the Premier League title.
There’s even more good news as Martin Odegaard, who has been recovering from an injury sustained in September, is reportedly on the mend. Norway’s coach offered an optimistic update last week, hinting that Odegaard might be ready to return for both Arsenal and Norway soon.
The Norway manager spoke with VG, a Norwegian outlet, explaining that Odegaard’s rehab is going smoothly. “Everything indicates that things are going according to plan,” he said, adding that the focus now is on how Odegaard handles full-team training sessions, which will determine his readiness.
Having both Martinelli and potentially Odegaard available soon could provide a big boost for Arsenal. With the busy winter period approaching, every player’s fitness counts, especially if Arsenal wants to maintain its place at the top of the table.
Arsenal’s fans and Arteta will no doubt feel a bit more at ease, knowing that Martinelli won’t be facing the demands of international play this month. It’s a bit of unexpected good news for a squad that’s had its fair share of tough luck with injuries this season.
