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Arsenal: 4 main concerns in pre-season ahead of Premier League

By Ross Kennerley

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - MARCH 06: Mikel Arteta the manager / head coach of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor on March 6, 2021 in Burnley, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - MARCH 06: Mikel Arteta the manager / head coach of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor on March 6, 2021 in Burnley, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Gabriel
PIRAEUS, GREECE – MARCH 11: Gabriel of Arsenal celebrates with teammates Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabriel Martinelli and Cedric Soares after scoring their team’s second goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 First Leg match between Olympiacos and Arsenal. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) /

3. Gabriel Magalhaes & Gabriel Martinelli Uncertainties

It started off as a case of one in the Brazilian Olympics team and one out, which is how it ended, only the other way around.

Gabriel made the cut when Gabi didn’t, only for a knee injury to rule him out of the travelling party. It’s a huge blow to him personally as he misses out on representing his nation in Tokyo, but from a a selfish point of view there has been no recent update to suggest he’s recovering well. We lie in wait.

Pablo Mari will be starting against Brentford, of this there is no doubt. Given it’s likely to be Rob Holding alongside him, perhaps that isn’t a massive concern. Still, the Spaniard hasn’t looked especially solid in pre-season (it’s only pre-season) and you’d rather have your best central defender when faced with the Championship’s top scorer last term.

As for Martinelli, him being away with Brazil is playing out almost like pre-season away from pre-season. He didn’t make the bench for the opening clash over Germany which doesn’t bode well for his chances later on in the tournament, which Brazil are looking strong in and could go all the way.

Doing so will mean a late return for Martinelli and it remains to be seen whether he is granted a ‘break’ as such if he isn’t involved.

It would be hugely preferable if he were back in time to face Brentford with Pepe, Smith Rowe and Willian looking like being the three behind Aubameyang unless additions are brought in before then. After a tough 2020/21 campaign for Gabi this isn’t the ideal way to start the new season.

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