Gabriel Martinelli’s injury in the warm-up against Newcastle United is a “massive blow” for Arsenal, according to Ian Wright.
Martinelli was set to start in the FA Cup third-round tie at the Emirates Stadium, but was pulled out of the team as a precaution at the last minute after injuring his ankle before kick-off.
The Brazilian forward was replaced by Reiss Nelson in the Gunners’ starting line-up which also featured Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Willian and Nicolas Pepe.
Martinelli has made just four appearances for Mikel Arteta’s side this season following a serious knee injury he suffered in June.
The 19-year-old, who joined Arsenal from Ituano in 2019 and has scored 10 goals in 30 outings for the club, has been finding his feet in recent weeks after returning to the squad in December.
Arsenal will have to wait to discover the extent of this latest injury, but Gunners legend Wright is worried about the potential consequences.
“I hope it’s not the knee, some people are saying it might be the ankle,” he said on BBC One.
“It’s a big blow. It’s a massive blow to him and it’s a big blow to Mikel as well because he gives that energy which has coincided with Arsenal’s form - him and Emile Smith Rowe. To see him go down like that, it’s really quite worrying.”
Martinelli’s injury comes at an inopportune time for Arteta, whose side had been enjoying a welcome return to form recently.
Arsenal have won their last three Premier League games coming into the FA Cup tie against Newcastle, with youngsters like Martinelli and Smith Rowe at the forefront of their improved performances.
The results have pushed the Gunners up the 11th in the league table and Wright has been pleased by what he has seen.
“Yes they are and it’s good to see as well,” Wright said.
“There was a little worry a few weeks back for where Arsenal were. I had to go to Al [Shearer] for counselling to see what it was like for your team to be in and around those areas of the league table.
“No, it’s been a good turnaround and I think people like Smith Rowe, Martinelli and Saka have given the energy to get into the form that they’re in now.”
Following the FA Cup tie against the Magpies, Arsenal face Crystal Palace and Newcastle once again in the Premier League.
