Gabriel Martinelli faces injury ahead of Bournemouth trip
- Gabriel Martinelli suffered a right calf injury while playing for Brazil during World Cup qualifiers.
- An MRI scan revealed muscle edema, leading to ongoing physiotherapy treatment with the national team.
- Arsenal faces multiple injury challenges as they prepare for their next match against Bournemouth.
In Brazil, Gabriel Martinelli sustained a right calf injury while on international duty during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Peru. The injury was serious enough to warrant an MRI scan, which revealed a small area of muscle edema. Despite the injury, Martinelli will remain with the Brazilian national team for ongoing physiotherapy treatment rather than returning to Arsenal. This situation adds to Arsenal's existing injury woes, as several key players, including Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, are currently sidelined. Saka recently withdrew from the England squad due to an injury sustained during a match against Greece, while Odegaard is recovering from ankle ligament damage. The club is also dealing with the absence of Jurrien Timber, Ben White, and Oleksandr Zinchenko due to injuries. As Arsenal prepares for their upcoming match against Bournemouth, the fitness of these players remains uncertain, raising concerns about the team's depth and performance in the ongoing season.