Saliba and Martinelli add to Arsenal’s injury issues
LONDON: Arsenal duo William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli will miss the League Cup fourth-round tie against Brighton as the Gunners’ injury problems mount. France defender Saliba was forced off at half-time due to an unspecified injury in the Premier League leaders’ win over Crystal Palace on Sunday. Brazil forward Martinelli limped down the tunnel with a knock after coming on as a second-half substitute against Palace. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who revealed Declan Rice will be available to face Brighton after he was also injured against Palace, is unsure how long Saliba and Martinelli will be on the sidelines. Losing two of his key players for any length of time would be a major setback as Arsenal try to win a first Premier League title since 2004 and a maiden Champions League crown. The north Londoners are already without Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus due to injuries. “He’s out. We are assessing him but he won’t be involved in this match,” Arteta said of Saliba on Tuesday. “It looks as well Martinelli is going to be out.