Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was overcome with emotion as two more key players suffered injuries during training ahead of the crucial Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.

Mikel Arteta’s concerns over injuries at Arsenal appear to be relatively manageable during the March international break, with only a few key players currently dealing with significant knocks, providing a positive outlook for the club.

One player who raised concerns recently was Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli, who was substituted just over an hour into Arsenal’s 6-0 win over Sheffield United earlier this month due to a foot injury.

Arteta addressed the situation, mentioning Martinelli’s injury along with other squad considerations after the victory. The severity of Martinelli’s injury seemed to lessen when he was seen using crutches following Arsenal’s 2-1 win against Brentford. This precautionary measure was likely taken to ensure proper healing of the foot injury.

Before Arsenal’s Champions League clash against Porto, Arteta provided an update on the injury front, indicating that Martinelli hadn’t participated in training but expressing hope for his recovery. Martinelli’s withdrawal from the Brazil squad for the March internationals against England and Spain further emphasized the seriousness of his injury, with other key Selecao players also opting out due to knocks.

Despite the setback, there is optimism that Martinelli will be fit in time for Arsenal’s crucial Premier League showdown against Manchester City after the international break. In their previous encounter in October, Martinelli played a decisive role by scoring the winning goal, securing Arteta’s second league victory against his former colleague Pep Guardiola.

Throughout the season, the 22-year-old has been a significant contributor for Arsenal, featuring in 25 Premier League matches and showcasing his versatility with six goals and four assists from the left wing. Additionally, his presence in the Champions League has been notable, with impactful performances against Sevilla and Lens, highlighting his importance to Arteta’s squad.