Gabriel Martinelli returns to Arsenal squad for Manchester United clash | OneFootball

Gabriel Martinelli returns to Arsenal’s squad for their trip to Manchester United, providing a much-needed boost as Arteta navigates a their injury crisis.

Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Gabriel Martinelli has been named in Arsenal’s matchday squad for their Premier League fixture against Manchester United, marking his return from a right hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined for over a month.

Arsenal starting XI v Man United: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Nwaneri, Trossard, Merino.

Arsenal subs: Neto, White, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Tierney, Lewis-Skelly, Jorginho, Sterling, Martinelli

The 23-year-old Brazilian winger suffered the injury during Arsenal’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle United on February 5, forcing him off after just 37 minutes.

Post-match, Mikel Arteta confirmed Martinelli “felt something” in his hamstring and was unable to continue, with subsequent scans revealing he would require a significant spell on the sidelines.

Since then, Martinelli has missed Premier League fixtures against Leicester City, West Ham United, and Nottingham Forest, as well as Arsenal’s 7-1 Champions League demolition of PSV Eindhoven.

Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

His return comes at a crucial time, with Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus all sidelined with long-term injuries.

Martinelli has contributed seven goals and three assists in 35 appearances this season, and his availability provides much-needed attacking depth for Mikel Arteta, who has been forced to rely on makeshift solutions in recent weeks.

With Saka still a month away from full training, and Havertz and Jesus out for the remainder of the campaign, Martinelli’s return could be vital as Arsenal continue their frustrated title push.

While Jesus remains in recovery from an ACL tear sustained in January, and Havertz continues rehabilitation from hamstring surgery, Takehiro Tomiyasu’s future remains uncertain.

The Japanese defender, who has played just six minutes all season, has undergone a second knee operation after suffering a relapse from his initial surgery in March 2023.

His return is not expected until early 2026.

For now, Martinelli’s return offers Arsenal a significant boost, as Arteta’s squad heads to Old Trafford seeking to cut into league leaders Liverpool ever-increasing lead in the title race.