Arsenal handed injury scare as Gabriel Martinelli seen walking on crutches after Brentford win

Arsenal secured a 2-1 win over Brentford at Emirates Stadium on Saturday and will now shift attention towards the Champions League game against FC Porto on Tuesday.

They lost 1-0 to the Portuguese in the first-leg of the round of 16 fixtures and will be desperate to overturn the result and book a place in the quarter-finals.

Arsenal may have to do so without Gabriel Martinelli as the Brazilian was left out of the matchday squad that faced the Bees having failed to recover from the injury he sustained against Sheffield United on Monday.

According to Football London, the Gunners attacking midfielder was seen wearing a protective boot and walking with the aid of crutches at the Emirates Stadium on his way to the dressing room after the game this evening.

Gabriel Martinelli just walked through the mixed zone on crutches

— Tom Canton (@TomCantonMedia) March 9, 2024

The injury does not look good and it is safe to say Tuesday will come too early for the 22-year-old.

Having been helped off the field by two Arsenal physios at Bramall Lane, Arsenal confirmed today that Martinelli will not feature against Brentford due to the foot issue he sustained at Sheffield United.

Gabriel Martinelli misses out on today's squad due to the foot issue sustained at Sheffield United.

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 9, 2024

Leandro Trossard featured on the left wing in his absence and will likely get the nod against Porto, with Kai Havertz expected to retain his place leading the line having grabbed the winner today.

Arsenal will fancy their chances against the Portuguese in front of their home crowd, and they know they cannot afford to let their fans down after failing to register a shot on target in the first-leg.

The North Londoners failed to progress beyond the last-16 in each of their last seven appearances in the competition, with the 2009-10 campaign the last time they advanced to the quarter-finals after they defeated Porto, and history can repeat itself on Tuesday.