Saka and Martinelli were forced off during the win over Sheffield United (Picture: Getty)
Mikel Arteta is hopeful both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will be fit for Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Brentford on Saturday.
The Gunners romped to a 6-0 win over Sheffield United on Monday night, scoring five times before the break with Martinelli among those on the score sheet.
The Brazil international was forced off after 63 minutes with Gabriel Jesus brought onto replace him. After the game, Arteta told reporters Martinelli had suffered a ‘little cut on his foot’.
Saka meanwhile was replaced at half-time after ‘feeling a bit sick’.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Arteta eased concerns over two of his Arsenal stars and is confident they will be ready for the short trip across the capital this weekend.
‘We have some players back last Monday, then we have Martinelli and Bukayo with little issues but we are pretty positive they will be part of that [team],’ Arteta said.
‘We have to wait and see how they do tomorrow.’
Martinelli limped off on Monday night (Picture: Getty)
Saka, who has 16 goals and 15 assists to his name this term, has missed just one league match this season.
Arsenal were also boosted by the returns of Jesus and Thomas Partey in that crushing win at Bramall Lane. Jesus had missed his side’s last five games with a knee problem while Partey came off the bench to get his first minutes since August.
Aaron Ramsdale meanwhile will start this weekend with David Raya ineligible to play against his parent side.
The England international has started just five matches in all competitions since losing his place in the side back in August, the last of those coming in the FA Cup defeat to Liverpool in January.
Ramsdale has spent much of the season watching on from the bench (Picture: Getty)
‘He’s fully prepared and desperate to play,’ Arteta said.
‘On Saturday it will be a great day for him. He has been brilliant, really supportive and pushing every day in training. It’s a joy to have two great goalkeepers in the team.
‘One of the toughest things is to deal with players that don’t get the gametime they deserve.
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‘We have an unbelievable group of players and try to support them. When they get the opportunity they want to contribute to the team in the best way possible.’
The Gunners, who have scored 21 goals in their last four league games, can move back to the top of the Premier League with a win at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City are in action against each other at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
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