Latest news on Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, and Takehiro Tomiyasu’s injuries and when they will be able to play again for Arsenal

Gunners have a new health problem before important games against Brentford and Porto.

While Arsenal’s great run of form continued against Sheffield United on Monday night, they were given a couple of new selection scares.

The confident Gunners smashed the Premier League’s bottom team 6-0 at Bramall Lane, becoming only the second club in the history of English football’s top division to score five or more goals in three straight away games.

Following dramatic wins over the weekend by leaders Liverpool and defending champions Manchester City over Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, Arsenal maintained their position in a thrilling three-way title race. Mikel Arteta’s team remained in third place, just two points behind the leaders, before hosting London rivals Brentford at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening.

Even though they beat Sheffield United easily, there were some problems. Bukayo Saka had to be replaced at halftime, and Gabriel Martinelli got hurt after the break and had to leave the game.

Arteta did have Thomas Partey play again, though, for the first time since October. Gabriel Jesus also made progress in his return to full health by starting the game in South Yorkshire.

Here is the most recent news about Arsenal injuries and possible comeback dates…

The Gabriel Martinelli
The Brazilian forward scored Arsenal’s third goal after only 15 minutes at Bramall Lane. He then set up Kai Havertz for Arsenal’s fourth goal very quickly afterward.

Martinelli had to be helped off the field, though, and Jesus came on to replace him after an hour because he hurt his foot badly.

As Arsenal’s medical staff helped him down the tunnel, he was clearly in pain. Arteta confirmed after the game that Martinelli had cut his foot and would need more investigation.

Arteta told the press after the game, “He had a small cut on his foot, and we have to wait and see how he is.”

“With Gabi, it’s just a cut,” the boss told Sky Sports news. He took a hit and got a small cut. We need to check on him.

At this point, it’s not clear if Martinelli will be able to play against Brentford, but it doesn’t look like the problem will keep him out for too long. Next week, Arsenal has a very important Champions League last-16 second-leg match against Porto, and then they have a very important trip to Manchester City after the international break.

Again, Bukayo Saka Saka was great in the first half against Sheffield United. He caused Auston Trusty, an old teammate, a lot of trouble down the Arsenal left side and forced Chris Wilder to make an early switch. He also set up Jayden Bogle’s own goal and Declan Rice’s fifth goal before halftime.

The England winger did not play in the second half, though, because Fabio Vieira came on in his place, even though the England player did not look like he had been hurt.

After the game, Arteta made it clear that Saka had been sick, saying, “Bukayo was feeling sick.”

“He wasn’t feeling well, so we took him off and put Fabio in his place.”

Fans of Arsenal will be glad to hear that Saka isn’t hurt. As long as the illness doesn’t last too long, he should be fine to play against Brentford this weekend, since Gunners goalie David Raya won’t be able to play against his parent club. This means that Aaron Ramsdale will start more and more often.

Possible return date: March 9 at Brentford

Hideyoshi Tomiyasu
Tomiyasu hasn’t played for Arsenal since the loss at Fulham on New Year’s Eve. He was hurt before and after that game, and then he was with Japan at the Asian Cup.

When Arteta got back from international duty last month, he admitted that the versatile defender had done something else slightly wrong.

Though Tomiyasu did not make it to the game at Bramall Lane, Arteta had not ruled it out last week, and on Monday, he stated again that his return was now very close.

Arsenal’s manager said, “He’s very close; he’s already doing something on the grass, and we hope to have him very close with us.”

Possible return date: March 9 at Brentford

Pavel Zinchenko Oleksandr
At Sheffield United, Zinchenko had a chance to make the team, but he didn’t because he is still recovering from a calf injury he got in the first half of the important 3-1 win over Liverpool a month ago.

Both defenders could play against the Bees if they have a good week of training at London Colney.

Possible return date: March 9 at Brentford

Jurrien Timber Arteta has been gushing about how dedicated, determined, and forward-moving his summer signing is in his recovery from a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury he got in his right knee on his Premier League start against Nottingham Forest in August.

Woody had surgery and then a good recovery period. He is now back working on the grass.

Arteta said before the trip to Sheffield United, “Sorry, Jurrien is still not close enough to be with the team on Monday.”

“Yes, he’s been impressed by Timber’s recovery.” It’s been fun. The physiotherapists and medical workers have been impressed by how he acts.

“We need to be careful now that the injury is in its last stages, but I think he’s in the right place.”

Even though Timber is coming back, Arsenal won’t take any chances. If he keeps going as he is and doesn’t have any setbacks, he could definitely make a comeback after the March international break, when they play title rivals Manchester City, Luton, Brighton, Aston Villa, and Wolves, followed by a north London derby away at Tottenham on April 27.

Possible return date: after the March international break, maybe March 31 at home against Manchester City