Gabriel Martinelli suffers fresh injury blow as Mikel Arteta’s struggling Arsenal are thumped by Man City in Carabao Cup quarter-final

Mikel Arteta’s woes worsened after Brazilian starlet Gabriel Martinelli was forced off during Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat against Manchester City.

The under-fire Spaniard was unable to relieve some of the intense pressure he is currently under as Pep Guardiola’s men ran rampant in a 4-1 victory at the Emirates.

Martinelli was left grimacing in pain following the collisionGetty Images

The Brazilian received medical attention and initially remained on the fieldGetty Images

Martinelli was making just his second appearance since recovering from a knee operation, in what was also his first start for the Gunners since March.

The youngster looked excellent throughout the opening 45 minutes and provided the assist for Alexandre Lacazette’s equaliser after Gabriel Jesus had headed the visitors ahead early on.

The 19-year-old was clattered by City goalkeeper Zack Steffen shortly before the break, but bravely battled on until the end of the first half after limping back on to the field.

Blood was seeping through Martinelli’s socksRex Features

City haven’t lost a League Cup match since October 2016Getty Images

However, just moments into the second half Martinelli pulled up and was replaced by the club’s record signing Nicolas Pepe.

Blood was seeping through Martinelli’s socks as he trudged off the field to what appeared a shin problem.

Matters worsened for Arteta from that point onwards, with goals from Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Aymeric Laporte compounding Arsenal’s misery.