Arsenal welcome key winger back from injury for Man Utd clash | OneFootball

Gabriel Martinelli has returned to the Arsenal squad ahead of schedule in time to face Manchester United on Sunday, reports claim.

The Brazil international was struck down with a hamstring injury in early February and, when asked for a possible return date, manager Mikel Arteta insisted Martinelli's comeback would likely be after the upcoming international break.

But The Athletic report that Martinelli has recovered faster than was expected and has subsequently been included in the squad for Sunday's game against United.

It's a significant boost for an Arsenal attack which has struggled horribly in the absence of its many injured stars. Martinelli may be back, but Arsenal still lack a central striker as both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are sidelined.

Bukayo Saka's ongoing absence continues but he is expected back in action this month as he seeks to end a four-month spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury of his own.

Arteta is unlikely to rush Martinelli back into the starting lineup – unless he really has made significant strides in training this week – and will instead be able to call upon the 23-year-old from the bench.

It means Arsenal's front three should still be comprised of Mikel Merino, Ethan Nwaneri and Leandro Trossard, who put recent disappointing outings against West Ham United and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League aside to help dispatch Champions League last 16 opponents PSV Eindhoven 7-1 in record-breaking fashion.

Merino, Nwaneri and Trossard were all on the scoresheet, alongside Jurrien Timber, captain Martin Odegaard (2) – the Norwegian has vowed to raise his level of performance in the final weeks of the season – and Riccardo Calafiori.