Earlier today, Mikel Arteta spoke about the return of Gabriel Martinelli to Arsenal’s first team squad.
In a press conference, the manager claimed ‘there’s a possibility’ the Brazilian could get a few more minutes in the Gunners’ match against Manchester City tomorrow night.
Martinelli picked up a knee injury in June, and only returned to the pitch at the weekend, getting a few minutes in the game against Everton.
Speaking to the Brazilian press today, the striker talked about his recovery work, making clear how glad he is to be back playing.
“The feeling of being back is the best possible. I’m very happy to be able to do what I love most, which is playing football,” Gabriel Martinelli told Globo Esporte.
“When the injury was confirmed, I knew it’d be a hard path to follow until this return, but I knew that with a lot of effort, willpower and dedication I could return this year. I was living a good start at Arsenal and I will do everything to do my best on the pitch again.”
The teenager also thanked the doctors who helped him throughout this difficult time, and there weren’t only Arsenal employees involved in the recovery.
“I’d like to thank the club’s professionals for these months of work and support for my recovery, as well as Rodrigo, a physiotherapist from Campinas, who was also important in the treatment when I was in Brazil.
“I know the return is gradual, one step after another, but I’m very motivated to help Arsenal this season.”
Gabriel Martinelli joined Arsenal in a €6.7m move from Ituano in the summer of 2019, and had an impressive first season with the Gunners, with 10 goals in 26 games. Now he’s slowly getting ready to prove himself in his second season at the club.
