Arsenal have received a major boost ahead of their match against Manchester City with Gabriel Martinelli in the squad but news of Bukayo Saka’s fitness was wrong.

Arsenal's Brazilian midfielder #11 Gabriel Martinelli (2L) reacts after a goal he scores is disallowed for offside after a VAR (Video Assistant Referee) review during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on September 17, 2023. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Brazilian midfielder #11 Gabriel Martinelli (2L) reacts after a goal he scores is disallowed for offside after a VAR (Video Assistant Referee) review during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on September 17, 2023. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Early on Sunday morning, Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail got Arsenal fans excited by revealing that Gabriel Martinelli had accelerated his recovery from a hamstring injury in the previous 48 hours.

Mokbel suggested Martinelli could be included in the squad to face Manchester City, adding that it would be a big boost if he was, obviously.

Various reports on social media then confirmed that Martinelli was with the squad ahead of the game, suggesting he would be involved.

And, yes, he was named on the bench.

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Arsenal's Declan Rice celebrates with teammate Gabriel Martinelli after Martinelli scored a goal during a friendly football match between the Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star team and Arsenal FC, at Audi Field in Washington, DC, on July 19, 2023. (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Declan Rice celebrates with teammate Gabriel Martinelli after Martinelli scored a goal during a friendly football match between the Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star team and Arsenal FC, at Audi Field in Washington, DC, on July 19, 2023. (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

The Daily Mail had also reported that Bukayo Saka had been cleared to play for Arsenal against City on Sunday, despite being withdrawn in the first half of Tuesday’s Champions League clash against RC Lens.

Saka was also reportedly with the squad, and it was claimed he could even be set to start the City match.

In the end, Saka wasn’t even named in the squad, the season’s kickings finally taking their toll and brining his club record run of 87 consecutive Premier League games to an end (v Newcastle, May 2021)

Arsenal's English midfielder #07 Bukayo Saka (L) and Arsenal's Belgian midfielder #19 Leandro Trossard warm up prior to the UEFA Champions League Group B first leg football match between RC Lens and Arsenal FC at the Bollaert Stadium in Lens, northern France, on October 3, 2023. (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s English midfielder #07 Bukayo Saka (L) and Arsenal’s Belgian midfielder #19 Leandro Trossard warm up prior to the UEFA Champions League Group B first leg football match between RC Lens and Arsenal FC at the Bollaert Stadium in Lens, northern France, on October 3, 2023. (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)

The FA are considering a compromise for Saka’s involvement over the international break after he received an international call up this week.

The winger may now be rested for the friendly match against Australia on Friday, before coming back into the team for the Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy on Tuesday

Arsenal lineup vs Manchester City

Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Jorginho, Odegaard, Trossard, Jesus, Nketiah.

Arsenal subs

Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, Kiwior, Partey, Smith Rowe, Vieira, Nelson, Martinelli, Havertz.

Manchester City lineup vs Arsenal

Ederson, Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Kovacic, Lewis, Bernardo, Foden, Alvarez, Haaland.

Manchester City subs

Ortega Moreno, Phillips, Stones, Grealish, Doku, Gomez, Akanji, Nunes, Bobb.

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