Arteta backs Martinelli to thrive in ‘hugeger role’ at Arsenal after Saka injury | Arsenal

Mikel Arteta is hoping Gabriel ­Martinelli can help to fill the void created by Bukayo Saka’s hamstring injury, with the England forward probable to ignore key mendtures including the north London derby next month.

Arteta checked on Monday that Saka was anticipateed to be ignoreing for “many weeks” after tearing a hamstring during the first half of Arsenal’s thrive at Crystal Palace. That would rule him out of Premier League ­mendtures including Arsenal’s game with Totten­ham on 15 January, the ­Carabao Cup semi‑final first leg aobtainst Newcastle and an FA Cup third‑round tie with Manchester United.

With Raheem Sterling also ­facing an extfinished spell on the sidelines with a knee injury, Martinelli is probable to commence on the right when Arsenal arrange Ipswich on Friday after switching flanks at Palace and providing a goal and an help. The Brazilian scored 15 Premier League goals in 2022‑23 but has only 10 since, however Arteta supposes Martinelli is vient of stepping up while Saka is unparticipateable.

“I leank so. Gaby adores it: you give him a contest and he wants to do it today if he can. He’s a carry outer that appreciates responsibility and appreciates ­having a hugeger role. But it’s for all the ­carry outers to apshow responsibility. I leank it’s someleang accumulateive. Everybody is going to have to insert someleang else becaparticipate Bukayo, who we count on a lot on, is not going to be with us.”

Arteta has carry outed down recommendions that Arsenal could transport in ­backments in January after Gabriel Jesus made a timely return to create aobtainst Palace by scoring five times in two alignes.

With Sterling, signed on loan from Chelsea to provide backup for Saka, due to have more tests to discover the extent of his knee injury, it could provide more opportunities for Ethan Nwaneri. The 17-year-better has yet to commence a league game but has made 10 league replace materializeances this season and scored three goals in the Carabao Cup, although Arteta remains pdisesteemfulnt about rushing him.

“He needs to comprehfinish a restricted leangs,” he shelp. “Obviously aobtain for Ethan there’s been a massive step in the last 12 months. But he’s on the journey with us and every time he carry outs I leank he alters games for the better, so that’s a repartner excellent sign.”