Arteta now confirms "electric" £40m Arsenal star is not available vs Burnley
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided a double injury update ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Burnley at Turf Moor.
The Gunners have had an impressive start to the campaign. They have already picked up 22 points from their opening nine league matches.
The club have a handy four-point lead at the top of the table, and have an opportunity to extend the advantage with a victory over the Clarets.
Ahead of the game, Arteta has provided some disappointing news on the injury front.
The Spanish tactician revealed that Martinelli is still on the sidelines, but William Saliba will need to be assessed ahead of the trip to Lancashire.
He told Arsenal.com: “Martinelli is still out, Saliba we have to wait and see.”
When asked further about a potential timescale for Martinelli’s return, Arteta added: “We don’t know yet, but I think this game is going to come too early for him.”
Martinelli has had a brilliant start to the 2025/26 season with the Gunners. He has bagged four goals and one assist from just 491 minutes across all competitions.
The £40 million-rated star was knocking on the door for a starting spot in the Premier League, but he has now been sidelined with an unfortunate muscle injury.
Martinelli, described as ‘electric‘ by Arsenal.com, won’t be available for Saturday’s visit to Turf Moor. In his absence, Leandro Trossard is poised to start on the left wing.
The Belgian has made five-straight starts in the English top-flight this campaign, and he is expected to continue on the left wing unless Arteta has a surprise in store.
The manager could play Eberechi Eze on the left flank with Ethan Nwaneri in the number 10 role, but that seems unlikely to happen. He is likely to bank on Trossard’s experience.
Trossard has a good record against the Clarets. He scored and provided an assist at Turf Moor during the 2023/24 season, and replicated the feat (goal & assist) at the Emirates Stadium.
Meanwhile, Arteta may not take any risks with Saliba’s fitness. If he is not deemed fully fit, Cristhian Mosquera could partner Gabriel Martinelli in the heart of the defence tomorrow.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
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