Arteta offers Aubameyang & Martinelli injury updates

Ahead of the league trip to St. Mary’s Stadium, the Gunners boss has provided an update on the fitness of two of his forwards.

Gabriel Martinelli is doing ‘fine’ but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a doubt for Arsenal’s match against Southampton, reveals Mikel Arteta.

Martinelli was in the starting XI for the FA Cup 4th round clash on Saturday but could only last for 58 minutes on the pitch.

The 19-year-old winger spent six months on the sidelines due to a knee injury before suffering another ankle problem in the warm-up for the FA Cup third-round tie against Newcastle United.

It was feared that the Brazilian, whose development has been hindered by injuries, had picked up another fitness problem as he was replaced despite being one of the better performers in the 1-0 defeat to Southampton.

“No he was fine, it was a tactical decision,” said Arteta in his pre-match press conference, via Football London. “He’s fine. Obviously, he’s missed, again, a few training sessions with the last injury.”

“We have to respect the time,” the Gunners boss added on Aubameyang who was forced to miss the previous match due to a personal issue.

“Let’s see. I don’t have enough information right now to see how things are evolving. Hopefully, they will go in the right direction.”