Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta dealt cruel blow as star man ruled out of final two games of the season
GABRIEL MARTINELLI will miss Arsenal’s final two Premier League games with an ankle injury suffered against Brighton.
The forward, 21, was subbed off after 20 minutes in Sunday’s 3-0 defeat following a tackle from Moises Caicedo.
Martinelli left the Emirates in a protective boot and is facing several weeks on the sidelines.
But the Gunners believe he will be fit for pre-season.
Arsenal’s head of medical services Gary O’Driscoll had even been optimistic on Sunday night that Martinelli would return this campaign.
Questioned by a fan after the loss, he blasted Caicedo’s challenge as a “terrible foul, disgraceful, disgraceful foul”.
But he added that Martinelli “should be ok” despite being “sore”.
And specifically questioned on the timing of the Brazilian’s comeback, O’Driscoll said: “Will he be back for the end of the season? Yeah, I think he’ll be back.”
Arsenal travel to Nottingham Forest on Saturday and finish at home to Wolves on May 28.
Defeat at Forest would officially end their title hopes.
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And even if the Gunners win that game, Manchester City will be crowned champions for a third successive time if they beat Chelsea at home on Sunday.
Martinelli’s setback comes as fellow wideman Bukayo Saka is tipped to tie up a new five-year contract within the next fortnight.
It’s understood the England speedster will overtake Gabriel Jesus as the club’s top-paid player, on around £300,000 a week.