Mikel Arteta has been handed a welcome and unexpected lift ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League showdown with Nottingham Forest this Saturday, as two key players — Gabriel Magalhães and Gabriel Martinelli — are now expected to be available for selection despite initial concerns over their fitness and travel fatigue.
🩺 Injury Woes Mount Early in the Season
Arsenal’s start to the 2025/26 campaign has been marred by a string of injuries. In just three matches, the Gunners have lost five first-team players:
- Ben White and Kai Havertz picked up knocks in the opening day win over Manchester United.
- Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka were withdrawn against Leeds due to shoulder and hamstring issues.
- William Saliba limped off just minutes into the defeat at Anfield.
- Christian Nørgaard, a summer signing, is yet to make his debut due to a pre-season injury.
With Havertz, Saka, and Saliba already ruled out for the weekend, Arteta has been forced to consider alternative options — including Noni Madueke, who impressed during the international break with England, and Leandro Trossard, who returned to action with 63 minutes for Belgium.
✈️ South American Surprise: Gabriel & Martinelli Available
The biggest boost, however, comes from South America. Both Gabriel Magalhães and Gabriel Martinelli were expected to be fatigued or unavailable after Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Bolivia — a match played at the notoriously high altitude of 4,088 metres in La Paz.
The conditions are so extreme that oxygen masks are often required, and even Brazil icon Neymar once described playing there as “inhuman.” With Arsenal’s early Saturday kickoff and the long travel back to London, there were serious doubts about whether either player would be fit to start.
But in a fortunate twist, neither Gabriel nor Martinelli featured in the match, remaining unused substitutes. Their absence from the pitch means they avoided the physical toll of the altitude and should be fresh enough to start against Forest.
🇪🇨 Hincapié Impresses for Ecuador
Elsewhere, Pierro Hincapié delivered a standout performance for Ecuador in their win over Argentina, further strengthening Arteta’s defensive options. With Saliba sidelined, Hincapié could be in line for his Premier League debut — a timely reinforcement given the current injury crisis.
🔮 What It Means for Arsenal
With injuries piling up, the availability of Gabriel and Martinelli is a major relief for Arteta. Their presence not only boosts the starting XI but also provides tactical flexibility and continuity in a squad that’s been stretched thin.
As Arsenal prepare to host Nottingham Forest in the early kickoff, these unexpected developments could prove pivotal in maintaining momentum and keeping the Gunners in the title race.
In a season already defined by challenges, this double boost might be just what Arteta needs to steady the ship.
