{"id":299156,"date":"2023-12-12T18:55:53","date_gmt":"2023-12-12T18:55:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/?p=299156"},"modified":"2023-12-12T18:55:53","modified_gmt":"2023-12-12T18:55:53","slug":"bukayo-saka-and-gabriel-martinelli-skip-arsenal-training-as-injury-worries-mount","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/soccer\/bukayo-saka-and-gabriel-martinelli-skip-arsenal-training-as-injury-worries-mount\/","title":{"rendered":"Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli skip Arsenal training as injury worries mount"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli missed training on Monday morning. Saka has a foot injury while Martinelli was absent due to illness ahead of the Champions League tie at PSV Eindhoven.<\/p>\n

Arsenal will head to the Netherlands knowing they have already confirmed top spot in Group B. PSV have also already qualified due to a better head-to-head record against third-placed Lens.<\/p>\n

Mikel Arteta will likely look to rotate his team ahead of the weekend’s Premier League match at home to Brighton. But it appears a couple of decisions could be taken out of his hands already.<\/p>\n

Saka and Martinelli were absent from the final training session before flying to the Netherlands on Monday afternoon. The Evening Standard says that Saka has picked up a knock on his foot but is still likely to travel.<\/p>\n

Read more… <\/strong> Man Utd ‘put five players up for sale’ as ruthless Erik ten Hag starts clear-out<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Martinelli, though, is unlikely to fly due to illness. Arsenal’s squad is already limited due to injuries and Arteta can’t afford too many more absentees.<\/p>\n

One positive is that Emile Smith Rowe was back training with his team-mates. The attacking midfielder has not played since the end of October after picking up a knee injury in the home win over Sheffield United.<\/p>\n

It has been a hugely frustrating 18 months for Smith Rowe, with the match against the Blades his first Premier League start since May 2022. A decision will be made this afternoon as to whether he is fit enough to travel with the squad to Eindhoven.<\/p>\n

Arsenal continue to be without long-term absentees Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey. Timber may return later in the season from the anterior cruciate knee ligament injury he picked up on his Premier League debut.<\/p>\n