Arsenal star "to miss" West Ham & Nottingham Forest games and "possibly" more in another fresh blow

Arsenal are facing yet another injury blow with Mikel Arteta and his squad currently in Dubai for some warm weather training. The Gunners exited the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night as they lost 2-0 to Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

Arteta’s side have a free weekend after their third-round FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester United last month as their focus remains on the Premier League and Champions League. The North London outfit are through to the round of 16 in Europe’s elite club competition while they sit six points behind Liverpool in the title race. Arne Slot’s side have a game in hand, which they will play on Wednesday night at Merseyside rivals Everton.

Arsenal are back in action with an early kick off at Leicester City on Saturday, February 15 before they host West Ham a week later. They then face a tough away trip to Nottingham Forest in a midweek game at the end of the month.

Martinelli injury update

According to The Athletic, forward Gabriel Martinelli is facing more than a month out with the injury he picked up at Newcastle on Wednesday night. Speaking after the game, Arteta said: “He felt something, I think it was his hamstring, and he wasn’t comfortable to continue, so we have to have an MRI scan tomorrow to see the extent of the injury.”

Martinelli is not expected back until March at the earliest, with the report from The Athletic claiming that Martinelli could be ruled out until after the international break. That would include Premier League games against Manchester United and Chelsea as well as their two fixtures in the Champions League round of 16. Arsenal return from the Match international break with a home game against London rivals Fulham.

Martinelli was spotted heading to Dubai with his Arsenal teammates, in photos posted on the club’s official website on Thursday. Ben White and Bukayo Saka were also pictured as they continue their respective recoveries.

Arsenal injury latest

White and fellow defender Takehiro Tomiyasu are likely to be the closest to returning for when Arsenal travel to Leicester in a week’s time. Saka is currently poised for a return after the March international break while Gabriel Jesus will not play again this season after suffering an ACL injury.

On their plans for Dubai, an Arsenal statement read on Thursday: “The team boarded the flight on Thursday and will return ahead of our Premier League match away to Leicester City on Saturday, February 15.

“Focusing on intense warm weather training, the time in Dubai will allow our squad the opportunity to work hard and focus on preparations ahead of the final third of the season, with 14 matches remaining in the Premier League and the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.”

In other news, Arsenal remain interested in a deal for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak despite not being able to get near him during the last window.