22 September 2023 , 11:13
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Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli will undergo a late fitness ahead of this weekend’s North London Derby.
The Gunners host their fierce rivals Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon after a positive start to the campaign. Mikel Arteta’s side have won four and drawn one of their opening five Premier League games.
Key to that positive form has been Brazilian forward Martinelli. The 22-year-old has yet to score so far this season but has started every league match under Arteta and has two assists to his name.
However, Arsenal might not be able to call upon the wideman’s services following the hamstring injury he picked up in the recent 1-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park. Should he not recover in time, he would join Thomas Partey on the sidelines - the midfielder already ruled out by Gunners boss Arteta with a groin injury.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Spaniard said: “With Gabi [Martinelli] we’re still assessing him so let’s see if he can make the game or not. Thomas [Partey] is definitely out and the rest hopefully available.”
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Should Martinelli be restricted to the sidelines, that would leave Arteta with a decision to take over his frontline. Belgian forward Leandro Trossard replaced his teammate on the left flank at Goodison Park.
The former Brighton man scored the winning goal midway through the second-half on Merseyside. He extended that positive form in the Gunners’ 4-0 Champions League win over Dutch side PSV Eindhoven - a game that Martinelli missed.
Gabriel Martinelli receives treatment at Goodison Park (Getty Images)Who will win the North London Derby? Share your predictions in the comments below
Another position that Arteta has a call to make over is in goal. Aaron Ramsdale started the season as Arsenal’s number one but has since been usurped between the sticks by summer signing David Raya.
Arteta has insisted that he has yet to decide who will start the North London Derby. He has remained full of praise for Ramsdale following his reaction to being dropped. "He’s been very supportive around the place and that’s what I expect because when you’re playing there’s someone else who’s not and he’s been very good,” he said.
"Comfortable? Maybe I look it," Arteta replied when asked if he was comfortable making the decision. "It’s one of the hardest things. Players feel happy and valued when they play and when they don’t it’s hard. Everybody understands that it’s a team sport but we have seen how important the finishes are and everybody has a part to play in the season."