Injury blow for Gunners as key players will not feature in the final matches
Soccer

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Gabriel Martinelli and Oleksandr Zinchenko will miss the remainder of the 2022-23 season due to injuries. Martinelli sustained a significant ankle ligament injury following a rough challenge from Moises Caicedo during Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat to Brighton, a result which effectively ended the club’s title hopes. The Brazilian winger was seen leaving the pitch in a protective boot, and while further assessments will determine the full extent of the injury, Arteta described it as “pretty nasty.”

Zinchenko, on the other hand, has been sidelined with a calf strain sustained during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Newcastle. The Ukrainian full-back was absent in the loss to Brighton and will not feature in any of the team’s remaining games. Arteta confirmed both players are out for the rest of the season.

This news comes on top of Arsenal already being without William Saliba, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Mohamed Elneny for the rest of the campaign. Saliba’s recovery from a lower back issue has not progressed as hoped, while Tomiyasu and Elneny are recovering from long-term knee injuries. The mounting injuries have added to Arsenal’s struggles as they aim to finish the season strong despite their title challenge faltering.