Arsenal hit with another injury scare as Martinelli limps out of training

Arsenal have been hit with another injury scare on top of an already dire striker shortage after Gabriel Martinelli was seen limping out of training on Wednesday.

The Brazilian, who is one of the Gunners's few available attacking options, was spotted making his way off the pitch at the Emirates and down the tunnel during an open training session.

It could be a further blow to Mikel Arteta's side who currently have no fit recognised strikers ahead of their final two Premier League fixtures.

Martinelli later returned to the pitch and took part in the remainder of the session.

Arsenal have suffered with fitness problems throughout the season with Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Ben White having missed large chunks of the season and Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhães and Takehiro Tomiyasu all dealt season-ending injuries.

But it is not all bad news for the north London side as Kai Havertz, who was believed to be out until the end of the season, featured in training today.

The German star has been out of action since undergoing surgery for a hamstring issue which he picked up during a warm-weather training camp in Dubai.

Arteta hinted he could make an appearance against Newcastle or Southampton over the next fortnight.

'I think so [that he will be back before the end of the season], if everything goes okay in the next week or so,' he said.

Last week, Arteta bemoaned his 'super short' squad, adding that he knew 'some players that had a high probability of getting injured' but 'we cannot do anything about it'.

Their attack has been particularly thin after they failed to land reinforcements in the winter transfer window, while out of favour Raheem Sterling has failed to impress.

Jesus has been sidelined since January after suffering an ACL injury in their FA Cup tie against Manchester United.

Meanwhile Mikel Merino, who has deputised as an emergency striker, is currently banned after picking up a red card in their 2-2 draw at Anfield last weekend.

Merino has impressed as Arsenal's frontman this season despite describing his new role as 'crazy'.

The midfieler previously said: 'It is kind of crazy, to be honest, but at the same time, it is about having the right mentality, the right approach to the game.

'If the coach tells you to play one position, alright you have to take all your characteristics and put it on the table for the team.

'I am trying to adapt. I am trying to do things the best way possible and, obviously, some days will be better, some days will be worse - but the work is there every day, the grind.'

The Spaniard, who has scored seven Premier League goals this campaign, will miss out on Arsenal's crucial clash with Newcastle on Sunday.

Leandro Trossard, who led Arsenal's depleted front line against Liverpool, is also a doubt after being forced off in the second half at Anfield with a hamstring injury.

As is midfielder Declan Rice who was ruled out of the Liverpool game with a muscular issue thought to be a hamstring strain.

Arsenal need just one point to guarantee Champions League football returns to the Emirates next season, while Newcastle are also jostling with Manchester City, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest for a top-five spot.