Things worsened for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal on Wednesday night as Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli had to leave the field with a hamstring injury during their Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle. The injury further depletes Arsenal’s already limited attacking options, with both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus sidelined and no new forward signings made in the January transfer window.
Martinelli, who had been one of the few creative outlets available to Arteta, sustained the injury late in the first half. Ethan Nwaneri replaced him as the Gunners trailed 3-0 on aggregate against the Magpies. Although Martinelli managed to leave the pitch under his own power, the setback leaves Arsenal even lighter on attacking reinforcements.
The injury comes on the heels of the January transfer window’s closure, meaning Arsenal will be unable to bolster their squad until the summer. The club had previously decided against additional signings in the winter, rejecting a bid for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and being linked with several strikers, including summer target Benjamin Sesko.
Arsenal entered the match trailing 2-0 on aggregate following a 2-0 defeat at The Emirates last month. The match’s trouble began early when Alexander Isak nearly broke the deadlock, but officials ruled his goal offside. In the 19th minute, Jacob Murphy capitalized on a rebound from a denied Isak effort to put Newcastle ahead. The hosts’ woes continued in the 52nd minute when a quick Newcastle counter allowed Anthony Gordon to score from close range, virtually sealing Newcastle’s passage to Wembley.
With Martinelli’s injury compounding an already challenging situation, Arsenal face an uphill battle as they look to mount a comeback in this crucial cup tie.
