Injury updates on 2 Arsenal stars ahead of PSV clash

Mikel Arteta has given fitness updates on Ben White and Gabriel Martinelli ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League last-16 second leg against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.

Arsenal are set to face PSV Eindhoven in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday, holding a 7-1 lead after an emphatic win in the Netherlands.

For many, the tie is already a foregone conclusion, which perhaps opens the door for Mikel Arteta to rotate a bit.

On that subject, Arteta addressed the possibility of giving Ben White his first start since his return from injury.

“I think we have to manage him very well because he was still having some issues to manage in terms of the load,” Arteta explained.

“We’re very cautious of that to make sure that when he comes back he can now maintain that level and there’s no more setbacks, but I think he’s in a good position now to give him a start.”

White has made three substitute appearances so far, coming off the bench against West Ham, Nottingham Forest, and in the first leg against PSV. But it would be a positive step for him to make the starting lineup now.

In other news, Arteta confirmed that Gabriel Martinelli will be available again, having clearly suffered no ill-effects after his first game back against Manchester United on Sunday.

Martinelli played 32 minutes of the United clash, and Arteta confirmed: “Everybody finished the game against Man United with no issues, so I expect the same players to be available and Gabby for sure will be available as well.”

Unfortunately, that also means no return for Arsenal’s injured players, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Kai Havertz. But other than Saka, none of the group were expected to be back this season anyway.