Arsenal handed boost as Gabriel Martinelli declared fit for Premier League clash with Newcastle

Published on: 17 January 2021

Gabriel Martinelli is available for Arsenal again ahead of their Premier League match with Newcastle on Monday night after missing their last two games through injury.

The Brazilian forward was meant to start the Gunners' FA Cup tie against Steve Bruce's side at the start of the month but rolled his ankle in the warm-up and was pulled out of the starting line-up.

The 19-year-old also missed Arsenal's goalless draw at home to Crystal Palace on Thursday night but the north London club have confirmed that Martinelli is able to return against the Magpies on Monday after returning to full training this week.

Left-back Kieran Tierney is a doubt ahead of the Newcastle game and will face a late fitness test, while defender Pablo Mari is expected to miss the game through a calf problem.

Martinelli had only just come back from a six-month spell on the sidelines before the  setback ahead of the Newcastle FA Cup tie.

The Brazilian picked up a knee injury during a lockdown training session in June which kept him out of the final few weeks of the 2019-20 season.

After the Gunners' worst start to a Premier League season, the teenager returned to the pitch in late December and Arsenal's form began to pick up, with Mikel Arteta's side winning three straight games over the busy festive schedule.

While Arsenal have suffered a dip following Martinelli's shorter-term absence this month, the Brazilian told Sportsmail he is focused on moving the north Londoners back up the table.

Martinelli said: 'We had a bad phase going on earlier in the season. But the players never stopped running for each other. We have this strength to play every game and try to win.

'Now, it is going better for us, but we need to keep that focus if we are to turn this into a great season.

'I have so many dreams in my mind, such as representing Brazil, but first I need to focus on my recovery and help Arsenal with my football. I'll think of the rest after I do that.'

Arsenal also missed full-back Tierney for the Crystal Palace stalemate due to a calf issue after playing 120 minutes in the FA Cup match against Steve Bruce's Newcastle.

Defender Mari also went the distance against the Magpies but has not returned to the side.

Source: m.allfootballapp.com

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