Arsenal have been handed a significant attacking blow ahead of today’s Community Shield clash with Manchester City, with both Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus absent from the squad.
The pair’s omission leaves Arsenal with fewer attacking options for the high profile season curtain-raiser at the Emirates Stadium, as Mikel Arteta’s side look to begin the new campaign with silverware.
Softfootball understands that Jesus has been listed among Arsenal’s injured players in recent team updates, making his absence less surprising. The Brazilian forward has endured injury problems in recent seasons and continues to work his way back toward full fitness.
Martinelli’s exclusion, however, is more notable. The winger had featured in several predicted lineups for the fixture and had recently made an impact as a substitute in major matches, making his absence an unexpected development.
Without Martinelli and Jesus, Arteta will have to rely on his remaining attacking options to provide the creativity and goals required against a City side expected to pose a major threat.
The Community Shield offers Arsenal an early opportunity to test their squad against one of the Premier League’s strongest teams, but the absence of two experienced forwards reduces their attacking depth.
For City, the news could provide encouragement as they prepare to face an Arsenal side missing two players capable of changing the game from the bench or in the starting XI.
Arteta will now need to manage his attacking resources carefully, particularly if the match becomes stretched in the second half.
