Gabriel Martinelli has raised new injury concerns for Arsenal after a collision with Brazil teammate Eder Militao during a training session ahead of the Copa America.
Martinelli, a key player for Arsenal, appeared to sustain an injury while training with Brazil’s national team, casting doubt on his availability for the upcoming Copa America tournament.
Brazil, coached by Dorival Junior, is set to face Costa Rica in their first Copa America match in Inglewood, United States, on Monday. As one of the tournament favorites, Brazil boasts a squad filled with top talent, including Argentina as their main rivals.
However, Martinelli’s potential participation in the opening match is uncertain after he was involved in a collision with Real Madrid’s Eder Militao. During an attacking drill, Martinelli collided with Militao while attempting to connect with a cross from the right wing. The incident left Martinelli on the ground, prompting him to call for immediate medical assistance.
Despite Militao’s efforts to help him up, Martinelli remained on the ground and received attention from three medical staff members. He eventually hobbled off the pitch, appearing to have an issue with his right foot. Further treatment was administered on the sidelines before the video footage concluded.
The severity of Martinelli’s injury is still unclear, but his role in Brazil’s campaign might be limited to substitute appearances, given the competition from players like Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Endrick, and Raphinha.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be hoping that Martinelli’s injury is minor and does not impact his preparations for the next season. Martinelli has been Arteta’s preferred left-winger for the past two years.
