Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli has been substituted just 18 minutes into the Premier League clash against Brighton with a suspected injury concern. The Brazilian was replaced by Leandro Trossard with the Belgian facing his former side for the first time since he completed a £27million move to the Emirates Stadium in January.
The Gunners' medical team had been keeping an eye on Martinelli just minutes before he was withdrawn after he gave them a 'thumbs up' after trying to sprint. Mikel Arteta clearly did not want to risk one of his key players after the 21-year-old dropped to the floor to receive further treatment.
It is unclear what the problem was with Martinelli and if the issue is serious, he could now miss the remainder of the season. Oleksandr Zinchenko and William Saliba are still missing from the Gunners' squad as they continue to recover from their own injury issues.
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Martinelli headed straight down the tunnel after he was taken off and the Brazilian winger now faces a race to be fit in time for Arsenal's clash against Nottingham Forest next weekend. Just minutes before he received treatment on the pitch, Caicedo had put in a strong challenge on Martinelli with the 21-year-old hobbling after winning a free-kick for his side.
The Brighton midfielder gave Martinelli a hug and seemed to apologise before the Gunners' star left the pitch. Caicedo pushed for a transfer to the Emirates Stadium in January but has since signed a new long-term deal at Brighton.
This is a developing news story that will be updated with relevant information as we get it. More to follow...
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