Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka weren’t involved in Arsenal’s final training session pre-PSV Eindhoven, due to various ailments.
Tom Canton of Football.London initially broke the news that Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka weren’t involved in training for Arsenal on Monday, ahead of Tuesday’s clash with PSV Eindhoven.
Simon Collings has since explained that Martinelli was absent due to illness, and the winger is unlikely to travel to the Netherlands for the midweek game.
As for Saka, the winger was rested from training due to a knock on his foot, but he’s reportedly likely to travel with the squad anyway.
Collings writes that Emile Smith Rowe, who was back in training on Monday, may or may not travel. That decision will be made post-session, as also reported by Canton earlier.
Though it’s always bad news to hear of any setbacks to Martinelli and Saka, neither ailment sounds particularly serious. With any luck, both will be fit to face Brighton at the weekend.
In the meantime, their uncertain fitness status could be good news for a couple of Arsenal’s youth wingers, with Charles Sagoe Jr. and Amario Cozier-Duberry among those who could step up to the first-team squad.
Sagoe Jr. was part of the first-team session, along with Ethan Nwaneri, Lino Sousa, and Reuell Walters, so it appears he’s the most likely to take that spot if it’s available.
The other three youngsters could also be involved in the first-team travelling squad.
Midfielder Nwaneri made his case with an excellent five-goal display in the FA Youth Cup at the weekend, whilst left-back Sousa and right-back Walters could each benefit from Takehiro Tomiyasu’s absence leaving Arsenal light in the full-back positions.