Arsenal have confirmed that Gabriel Martinelli will miss their game with Newcastle after injuring himself in the warm up.
The Brazilian was named in the starting XI as the Gunners begin their defence of the FA Cup at the Emirates this afternoon.
However, the club have now stated on their social media that he rolled his ankle in the warm up.
He will be replaced in the team by Reiss Nelson.
He is said to be devastated and was seen wiping away tears as limped off the pitch ahead of the game.
Arsenal have insisted the measure is only precautionary and will be buoyed by the fact that it is not a recurrence of the knee injury that kept him out for six months last year.
It is line with the comments Mikel Arteta made before the match stressing the need for patience in Martinelli's reintegration into the side.
"I think we have to go game by game in general," he said in his pre-match press conference.
"I think with individuals and young talents even more, because sometimes as well it's time to give them a little bit of a breather and protect them.
"Like we had to do with Gabi because, for example, he didn't play for seven months and he could not play three games in a row in seven days. It's too much for him."
Martinelli started the games against Manchester City, Chelsea and Brighton over the festive period, but was not involved in the 4-0 victory over West Brom.
The news provides a good opportunity from Reiss Nelson, who has not been involved in a matchday squad since Arsenal's penultimate group game against Rapid Vienna.
You can follow all the action from Arsenal's FA Cup third round clash with Newcastle with football.london's live blog.
