Gabriel Martinelli missing from Arsenal squad for Brentford clash | Football

The 22-year-old scored in Arsenal’s 6-0 win over Sheffield United on Monday evening but was forced off in the 64th minute due to injury.

Mikel Arteta revealed after the game that the Brazil international had suffered a cut on his foot, which would be monitored this week.

However, it appears Martinelli will be rested for Brentford’s visit to the Emirates Stadium for Saturday’s 5.30pm kick-off as he was not seen with Arsenals’ squad on the morning of the game.

Bukayo Saka, who was replaced at half time against Sheffield United due to illness,was seen with his Arsenal teammates on Saturday, as was Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has missed the Gunners’ last five games.

When asked about Martinelli’s availability during his press conference on Thursday, Arteta suggested that the winger would recover in time for the game against Brentford.

‘We have some players back last Monday, then we have Martinelli and Bukayo with little issues but we are pretty positive they will be part of that [team],’ Arteta said.

‘We have to wait and see how they do tomorrow [on Friday].’

Arteta will also be without his first-choice goalkeeper David Raya, who is ineligible to play against his parent club Brentford due to the terms of his loan agreement.

Arsenal will go one point clear at the top of the Premier League if they beat Brentford, with Liverpool hosting Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.

The Gunners then face a tight turnaround as they welcome Porto to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. Arteta’s side are looking to overturn the 1-0 defeat they suffered in the first leg in Portugal last month.