Mikel Arteta issues Gabriel Martinelli injury update ahead of Arsenal vs PSV

Mikel Arteta says Gabriel Martinelli will miss Arsenal’s Champions League opener against PSV on Wednesday night but could be in contention to return against Tottenham at the weekend.

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The Brazil international was forced off with a hamstring injury during Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.

Martinelli was absent from Arsenal’s training session on Tuesday as Arteta’s side prepare for their Champions League return as they host PSV in their first game in Group B on Wednesday.

Arsenal will then play Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium in the first north London derby of the season on Sunday.

‘He felt something in his hamstring, we need to do some further tests to assess if there’s any big damage or not,’ Arteta said when asked about Martinelli’s situation on Tuesday.

‘But he will be out for tomorrow’s game, that’s for sure.’

Asked if Martinelli has a chance of playing against Spurs on Sunday, Arteta replied: ‘It’s a possibility, we don’t know yet.

‘We need some more tests and then see what happens.’

Arteta also refused to be drawn on whether David Raya would keep his place ahead of Aaron Ramsdale for Arsenal’s Champions League opener.

‘It’s something I’m not going to get into,’ Arteta said.

‘I don’t want to speak about how different Eddie [Nketiah] is to Martinelli, or to Reiss Nelson, or to whoever.

‘Every player has a different personality and different characteristics.’

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