Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
In the absence of any formal updates on the injuries suffered by Arsenal’s William Saliba, Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori, and Gabriel Martinelli against Crystal Palace, Physio Scout has reviewed the footage of the match to try and identify any potentially serious issues.
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On Saliba, there was no obvious in-game mechanism to suggest a major injury, so the expectation is for a fast recovery. As for Rice, the problem was seemingly a calf contusion due to contact from a Palace player, which should settle within a week.
Physio Scout again suggests that there was nothing obvious on the broadcast to cause concern with Calafiori, with the player likely just suffering from tightness or fatigure.
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
The one potential cause for concern is Martinelli. The winger did finish the match, but the way he limped from the field and Mikel Arteta’s post-match comments suggests he has muscle tightness or a simple strain.
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If it’s just tightness, Martinelli should be back in less than a week, but a strain would mean two or more weeks out.
Given Martinelli’s history with hamstring problems, there are legitimate fears that it could be the latter. The 24-year-old missed a month earlier this year with a hamstring injury, as well as missing a month at the start of the 2023/24 campaign.
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Assuming the above assessment is correct for all four players, it’s generally pretty good news for Arsenal. Losing four potential starters in one game would have been a huge blow, but if all of them are fit in a fortnight or so then it’s something the squad can manage.
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Arteta should give an official update in his press conference ahead of Wednesday’s League Cup clash with Brighton.
Arsenal then face Burnley, Slavia Prague, and Sunderland before the November international break, so if any of the four are still out at that stage, they’ll at least have an extra couple of weeks to recover ahead of the north London derby on November 23rd.