Gabriel Martinelli, who was set to feature for Arsenal in the upcoming games, could now miss the rest of the season with injury, according to David Ornstein.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal scores his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on January 21, 2020, in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal scores his team’s first goal on January 21, 2020. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

David Ornstein reports for The Athletic that Gabriel Martinelli picked up a knee injury in training on Monday. Early indications suggest it could be meniscus damage ruling him out for the remainder of the campaign.

Last week, Gabriel Martinelli sat on the bench for Arsenal’s defeats to Manchester City and Brighton, but Ornstein claimed that didn’t have anything to do with injury.

The 19-year-old is obviously one of the bright sparks of the season so far. With 10 goals in all competitions and four assists, only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe are contributing more regularly.

Nonetheless, according to Ornstein on The Ornstein & Chapman Podcast, Martinelli simply didn’t come back quite as sharp as those starting ahead of him.

“There have been a lot of questions to us about Gabriel Martinelli,” Ornstein began. “Our understanding is that nothing is really going on. I’m not sure that he returned, like many players, in as good a condition after the COVID shutdown than he was in before he left.

“I don’t mean from a physical perspective, but just sharpness. I expect that he’ll feature in the coming games.”

Unfortunately, the news of an injury has since emerged. Arsenal confirmed it in their most recent team news update. There’s little to no chance of seeing Martinelli in the upcoming games now.

After an unprecedented three-month football stoppage, you’d expect Martinelli and many others to have trouble getting back into the swing of things. It does seem like the Arsenal players are having particular difficulties with fitness and injuries right now though. We wish the teenager well with his recovery.