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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Simon Collings

Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka fitness issues open door to Arsenal youngsters in PSV trip

Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli is expected to miss Tuesday’s game against PSV Eindhoven due to illness.

Martinelli was absent from training on Monday morning along with fellow forward Bukayo Saka.

Saka was absent due to a knock on his foot, but he is still expected to travel to Eindhoven on Monday afternoon.

Emile Smith Rowe is hoping he could be in the squad for the game after returning to training with the main group. The attacking midfielder has been out of action since October due to a knee injury.

The Gunners’ match on Tuesday night is a dead rubber as both they and PSV have already qualified for the knockout stages.

Ethen Nwaneri is one youngster eyeing a chance vs PSV (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal will progress in top spot from Group B whatever the result in Eindhoven, meaning they should get a favourable draw in the last-16.

Mikel Arteta is expected to rotate his side for the game with PSV in a chance to rest players during the busy festive period.

The Gunners lost 1-0 to Aston Villa on Saturday and are second in the Premier League. They trail leaders Liverpool by one point and will face them at Anfield next week, but before that the Gunners host Brighton on Sunday.

Manager Arteta is due to decide the travelling squad after Monday's final session and a number of youngsters are hoping to make the cut.

Academy stars Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly were on the bench for Arsenal’s 6-0 win over RC Lens last month and could be involved again.

Nwaneri has been in fine form for Arsenal’s youth sides recently and scored five goals as the Under-18s beat Crewe 7-1 in the FA Youth Cup on Saturday.

Winger Amario Cozier-Dubbery and defender Reuell Walters may also feature against PSV. Both have been on the bench for the first-team but are yet to make their debuts.

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