Mikel Arteta provides Arsenal injury update on William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli

Mikel Arteta has provided the latest Arsenal injury news ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Burnley

Gabriel Martinelli has been ruled out of Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Burnley this weekend. The Gunners travel to Turf Moor on Saturday hoping to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Martinelli missed the midweek clash against Brighton in the Carabao Cup after picking up a knock in the win over Crystal Palace last weekend. Speaking to the media on Friday, Arteta confirmed the Brazilian will again be absent on Saturday while William Saliba faces a late fitness test.

“No, I think we have the same ones,” the Spaniard said. “Martinelli’s still out. Saliba we have to wait and see.

“We have another training session this afternoon. And the rest is still getting closer. I think in the right direction, but not available yet.”

Asked for a timeline on Martinelli’s return, Arteta said: “No, we don’t know yet, but I think this game is going to come too early.”

On Arsenal’s long-term absentees, Arteta added: “I would say weeks, and some of them pretty soon, hopefully, if they keep evolving the way they are doing. Difficult to put a game, you know, that we have the international break, which is a two-week break there. And after that, I think we’ll have some back. I don’t know if it’s going to be all of them, some of them, but we’ll be quite close by then.”

Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke and Martin Odegaard are three of the players on the treatment table currently and Arteta believes the trio could return in time for the North London Derby after the November international break. He said: “Yeah, I’m excited because they are tremendous players.

“I see them work every single day, how desperate they are to be part of the team. The huge boost that is going to be for the squad to have and those players again, after such a long, long time, so really happy that I think it’s going to be very soon.”

Gabriel Jesus is also sidelined at the minute. The Brazilian has returned to the grass after suffering a serious knee injury at the start of the year but may not return until December.

A win against Burnley on Saturday would see Arsenal extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points. The Gunners’ nearest challengers, Bournemouth, travel to Manchester City on Sunday, while Tottenham welcome Chelsea to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the 5:30pm kick-off. Liverpool, meanwhile, host Aston Villa in the 8pm Saturday night match.