Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli Sidelined for Over a Month with Hamstring Injury

Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli is expected to be sidelined for over a month following a hamstring injury sustained during the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle United on Wednesday.

 The 23-year-old winger was forced to leave the pitch in the 37th minute of the match, which concluded in a 2-0 defeat for the Gunners, resulting in a 4-0 aggregate loss. 

Initial assessments indicate that Martinelli will miss several key fixtures, including Premier League matches against Leicester City, West Ham United, and Nottingham Forest. He is also doubtful for the crucial encounters with Manchester United and Chelsea in early March. Additionally, his absence could impact Arsenal's Champions League round of 16 tie. 

This injury compounds Arsenal's current challenges, as the squad is already dealing with the long-term absences of Bukayo Saka, who underwent hamstring surgery in December, and Gabriel Jesus, sidelined with an ACL injury. Defenders Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are also unavailable due to injuries. 

Manager Mikel Arteta expressed concern over the team's injury situation, emphasizing the need for composure and resilience as they navigate this challenging period. The club will be hoping for swift recoveries to maintain their competitiveness across all competitions.