Gabriel Martinelli is aiming to play for the Arsenal u23s this month, as he closes in on the end of his rehabilitation from injury.

Arsenal report that Gabriel Martinelli is integrating into full squad sessions under Mikel Arteta, and he’s now aiming to make his return to the pitch in an u23 match before the end of December.

The teenager would be following in the footsteps of Calum Chambers, Emile Smith Rowe, and Pablo Mari, who have all dropped down to the u23s to build fitness after their injuries recently.

If Martinelli is going to play for the Arsenal academy this month, there are only a couple of options for him to do so. The u23s only play one game, against Leicester City at Meadow Park on December 18th at 19:00.

The academy sides then go on a winter break, so there are no further fixtures until January.

The u21s face AFC Wimbledon on December 8th in the EFL Trophy, so that’s the other possibility. Given that’s less than a week away now, the Leicester City game seems the most likely option.

If you were hoping to watch Martinelli’s return, you should probably manage your expectations. The AFC Wimbledon match will be streamed (on iFollow for £10), but the Leicester City game almost certainly won’t.

Unless Arsenal open up Meadow Park to fans – which they are allowed to do per the current government guidance – there’s unlikely to be any way to watch the game.