PSV will meet Arsenal in the Europa League on Thursday without tastemaker Gabriel Martinelli, various English media report. It seems unlikely that the 21-year-old Brazilian is fit enough to play against the Eindhoven team. Feyenoord also received a European boost on Wednesday: Lazio star Ciro Immobile is no longer available this year and therefore misses the last crucial game in De Kuip on Thursday 3 November.
PSV will play a make-up match at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday evening at 7 p.m., due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II. At opponent Arsenal, Martinelli, like ex-PSV player Oleksandr Zinchenko, is a big doubt, although Mikel Arteta does not want to rule out their participation yet. “We’ll see what we choose tomorrow,” the Spanish manager said during the press conference.
Still, the English media think they already know that Arteta will not take any risks with his left winger. The Gunners are currently already top of Group A of the Europa League and do not need to take any risks. PSV is in second place with two points less than the Londoners. The lack of Martinelli would be a boost: in the Premier League, the Brazilian was accurate four times in ten matches and he also provided two assists
Ciro Immobile
Although Feyenoord will only return to European action next Thursday, from Sturm Graz, the team from Rotterdam received positive news on Wednesday. Top striker and captain Immobile will no longer be in action for Lazio this year. The 32-year-old Italian is struggling with a hamstring injury from which he has to rehabilitate for a long time. As a result, the game on November 3 in De Kuip is also too early, reports Football International.
That match may well be crucial for Feyenoord’s Europa League adventure, as all clubs in group F are on five points after four games. The fact that the lack of Immobile is beneficial for Arne Slot’s team is apparent from his figures: the 55-time international of Italy was accurate no less than 189 times in 273 games for Lazio and also provided 51 assists.