Gabriel Martinelli, a rising talent at the age of 22, played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s recent campaigns. Last season, this Brazilian striker demonstrated his prowess by leading the team in the Premier League, scoring a remarkable goal every 187 minutes.
Moreover, he was the second-highest creator of significant goal-scoring opportunities with 11, netted 15 goals himself, and boasted an average of 0.9 precise shots per game.
READ MORE
++ Press: Liverpool considers Rodrygo as a possible replacement for Salah
++ Watch the move by Ederson that made Guardiola almost lose his cool at City’s Champions League debut
++ Newcastle: The reason for Joelinton’s absence from the Champions League game
In the current season, Martinelli has been a consistent starter in all five of Arsenal’s Premier League fixtures, contributing two valuable assists. However, fans were left wondering when he was conspicuously absent from the team’s much-anticipated Champions League debut, a match against PSV Eindhoven.
Where was Gabriel Martinelli?
The mystery behind Martinelli’s absence unraveled when it was revealed that he sustained an injury during the recent clash with Everton, forcing him to exit the field in the 24th minute. Coach Mikel Arteta disclosed that the injury was hamstring-related, and further examinations were needed to determine its severity. Sadly, this meant Martinelli would be sidelined for the upcoming game against PSV.
Arsenal’s triumphant return to the Champions League after a six-year hiatus, following their impressive 2022/23 Premier League campaign where they secured the runner-up position, was marred by the unavailability of key players. Not only was Martinelli absent, but midfielder Mohamed Elneny, the sole remaining player from Arsenal’s 2016/17 Champions League campaign, was also sidelined due to injury.
Group B of the Champions League featured formidable opponents, including Arsenal, PSV, Sevilla (the reigning Europa League champions), and Lens from France. The football world now waits with bated breath to see when Gabriel Martinelli will regain his fitness and grace the world’s most prestigious club competition with his talent once again.
