Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed full confidence in Gabriel Martinelli’s ability to help fill the void left by Bukayo Saka following the winger’s long-term hamstring injury.
Saka is expected to miss several weeks after suffering the injury during Arsenal’s Premier League victory over Crystal Palace, ruling him out of key fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Manchester United.
Softfootball understands Arteta believes the responsibility of replacing the England international will be shared across the squad, with Martinelli expected to play a leading role.
The Brazilian is likely to feature on the right wing against Ipswich Town after impressing in that role against Crystal Palace, where he contributed a goal and an assist.
Speaking ahead of Friday’s clash, Arteta said:
I think so. Gaby loves it: you give him a challenge and he wants to do it today if he can. He’s a player that likes responsibility and likes having a bigger role.
The Spaniard stressed that Arsenal cannot rely on one player to replace Saka’s influence and urged the entire squad to raise their performance levels.
But it’s for all the players to take responsibility. I think it’s something collective. Everybody is going to have to add something else because Bukayo, who we rely a lot on, is not going to be with us,
Arteta added.
