Gabriel Martinelli injury: Mikel Arteta issues update ahead of Arsenal vs Porto

Gabriel Martinelli missed Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Brentford on Saturday (Getty)

Mikel Arteta was coy over the availability of Gabriel Martinelli for Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Porto on Tuesday evening.

The 22-year-old was forced off in the 64th minute of Arsenal’s 6-0 win over Sheffield United a week ago due to a cut on his foot.

Martinelli subsequently missed Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Brentford on Saturday and failed to make the matchday squad.

The Brazil international did not take part in Monday’s training session and is now a major doubt to return to the side for Arsenal’s last-16 second leg tie against Porto at the Emirates Stadium.

‘Not many updates, we still have 24 hours and we’re trying to have everyone fit and available,’ Arteta said during his pre-match press conference on Monday afternoon.

Gabriel Martinelli was forced off with a foot injury during Arsenal’s win over Sheffield United (AFP via Getty)

When asked about Takehiro Tomiyasu returning to training on Monday, Arteta said: ‘Yeah, he did the first part and Gabi didn’t. But that’s what we were hoping for.

‘Everybody that is available, I think, has to be available enough to play because you might have to play after five minutes or from the start.

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‘The boys are in a good place.’

When asked directly about the chances of Martinelli playing, Arteta replied: ‘A percentage you want? There are options. Sorry to disappoint you.’

Arsenal are looking to overturn a 1-0 defeat from their first leg in Portugal last month.

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