Gabriel Martinelli ‘to make Arsenal comeback a month before Bukayo Saka’
Gabriel Martinelli will make his return to the Arsenal starting XI before Bukayo Saka while both continue their recoveries from long-term injury blows.
Martinelli, 23, suffered a hamstring injury in February during a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in February, but is expected to return to first-team action in March.
Meanwhile, Saka limped off during a 5-1 win against Crystal Palace in December and later underwent surgery on the issue which extended his expected recovery time.
As a result of the severity of the England international’s injury, Martinelli is expected to step up his first-team involvement up to a month before his teammate.
That is according to Football Insider’s Arsenal expert Connor Humm, who explained that the club will take their time to ease Saka back from his injury.
An end-of-March return date has now been placed on the Brazilian, but there is a feeling that his opposite winger may take longer to come back into the fold.
Gabriel Martinelli injury timeline emerges after Saka twist
There had been rumours that both Martinelli and Saka would be set for a return to first-team action following the March international break.
However, Football Insider revealed on 21 February that Saka would be “lucky” to play again this season for Arsenal.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Humm explained that a May return date may be more likely for the England man, while the situation for his attacking teammate is different.
“I’ve seen reports that Martinelli could come back before the end of March,” he told Football Insider.
“I think that will happen, from what I’m told those reports are accurate.
“The Saka thing, there are so many variables because he’s never had a long-term injury so you just don’t know how well or how quickly he’s going to recover.
“To say he’d be back before the end of March, I don’t think that’s fair.
“When he does come back, it’s not like he’s going to come straight in playing 90 minutes every game.
“On those two injuries though, I think the end of March is probably more likely for Gabriel Martinelli, but with Saka I’m not sure about that return date.
“I still think the best-case-scenario for him is to play the last three or four games of the season.”
Mikel Arteta angry at Arsenal board after another injury blow
Injuries to Martinelli and Saka have come while both Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have been ruled out for the rest of the season, in a huge blow to Arsenal.
This has left Mikel Arteta with just Raheem Sterling, Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri to choose from in his front three, while Mikel Merino has played as a makeshift striker.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Arteta has been left angry at the Arsenal hierarchy after their failures to strengthen in January.
The mid-season transfer window saw no new additions arrive at the Emirates, leaving them short as they head into the closing stages of a title challenge in the Premier League.
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