Gabriel Martinelli started for Arsenal against Manchester City on Tuesday night but the forward had to be taken off with what seemed to be an ankle problem.
Martinelli was injured by the City keeper as he cleared a ball and, immediately, it looked as if he was very seriously injured. Upon watching the replay, however, it became clear that the contact had been shallow and the Brazilian was likely suffering from a whopping bruise on his shin.
He's getting on his feet. The contact was quite shallow which could mean just a really fucking sore one on the shin
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) December 22, 2020
We were all surprised to see him come out for the second half but it didn’t last long. Four minutes into the second half, Martinelli sat down and asked to be replaced.
“It was just a really bad kick on his shin and it was swelling up and he could not continue,” Mikel Arteta said after the match.
“[At half-time] he was pushing, he was saying he was completely fine, that he wanted to carry on. He had a scar that wasn’t open and he wanted to try, so we gave him the opportunity to try and when he was on the pitch he was uncomfortable so it was an easy decision to take him off.
“He has a unique energy and a way to transmit his passion for the game,” Arteta added. “He plays the game in a different way to any other player. It’s hard to compare him, but what I have to say is that it’s great to have him back.
“To bring that experience, that fight… to play against this opponent after such a long time out, in the way he did in the first half, it’s something to be really proud and happy about.”
It is not clear yet if Martinelli will be fit to face Chelsea on Boxing Day but it seems like he might well be:
https://twitter.com/g_martinelli01/status/1341714323769602050