Gabriel Martinelli is expected to miss Arsenal’s Champions League game against Porto on Tuesday due to a foot injury.
The 22-year-old sustained the problem during Arsenal’s 6-0 win over Sheffield United last weekend and was helped off the field by two members of Arsenal medical staff physios as he struggled to walk by himself, following a challenge in the 64th minute.
Martinelli was absent from training on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s last-16 tie but speaking ahead of the tie Mikel Arteta refused to rule him out completely.
“Not many (team news) updates,” Arteta said. “We still have 24 hours and we are trying to have everyone fit and available. (Tomiyasu) did the first part (of training) and Martinelli didn’t.”
The forward was absent for Saturday’s 2-1 win over Brentford, despite Arteta saying he was “pretty positive” he would be available for the match, and was later seen on crutches at the Emirates Stadium.
“We had Martinelli and Bukayo (Saka) with little issues,” Arteta said before the game. “We’re pretty positive that hopefully they can be part of that. But we’ll have to see how they feel.”
Arsenal face Porto at the Emirates in their crucial Champions League last-16 second leg. Arteta’s side lost the first leg 1-0 in Portugal last month.
Martinelli was selected by Brazil head coach Dorival Junior in last week’s squad for their friendlies against England and Spain later this month.
He has registered eight goals and five assists in 32 appearances for Arsenal this season.
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