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Team news: Arsenal suffer fresh injury blow to attacker but positive update on Leno

By on June 23, 2020

Bernd-Leno-arsenal

It’s a mixed day for injury news at Arsenal as Bernd Leno’s issue isn’t as bad as first feared but Gabriel Martinelli could be out for the season.

Leno was stretchered off during our 2-1 defeat to Brighton on Saturday after landing awkwardly on his right knee while making a routine catch shortly before half time.

Initial reports suggested the 28-year-old may have damaged knee ligaments which would have not only ruled him out for the rest of the season but he’d have been facing several months on the sidelines.

However, Arsenal have confirmed this evening that Leno’s injury isn’t as bad as first feared and he’s only suffered a moderate ligament sprain that will keep him out for four to six weeks.

Obviously that’s still a blow to lose Leno for the rest of the season but it’s a major boost that he should be fit for the start of the next campaign, rather than facing nine months on the sidelines.

Martinelli on the other hand hasn’t been seen since football returned last week but it looks like the attacker might not play again this season as the club have confirmed he picked up a knee cartilage injury in training on Monday.

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The Brazilian attacker will see a specialist over the coming days to determine the full extent of the injury but The Athletic are reporting that Arsenal fear Martinelli is facing an extended spell on the sidelines. The news will come as a huge blow as Martinelli has been one of our most impressive performers this season.

Elsewhere, the club have confirmed on Arsenal.com that Granit Xhaka is back in full training and should be available to face Southampton on Thursday night while Sokratis is also back in training after missing the last two games with a thigh problem.

Cedric Soares has undergone a successful operation on a broken nose but he won’t be available for the trip to Southampton while David Luiz will serve the final game of his two-game suspension.

Lucas Torreira is aiming to resume training in two to three weeks as he continues to overcome an ankle injury but Pablo Mari – who’s reportedly joined the club on a permanent deal – is facing a spell on the sidelines.

The centre-back picked up an ankle ligament injury against Man City last week and has been ruled out for up to three months, which leaves Arsenal short at the back with Calum Chambers still out with a knee injury.