Arsenal have confirmed why Gabriel Martinelli and Aaron Ramsdale are out of the matchday squad for today's Premier League clash against Aston Villa.
The young duo have been instrumental to the Gunners' success this season and both started on Wednesday evening during the 2-0 defeat to Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool. However, the club have now confirmed that Martinelli is ill, whilst Ramsdale is currently suffering from a hip problem, keeping them out of the squad to face Villa.
Hale End academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe has taken the Brazilian's place in the starting XI whilst German goalkeeper Bernd Leno has assumed Ramsdale's position in between the posts. Their tweet read: "Aaron Ramsdale (hip) and Gabriel Martinelli (illness) miss out on today's matchday squad."
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The duo will be gutted to miss out on next week's international duty, with the Englishman receiving a call-up for friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast. Meanwhile, Martinelli was handed his first-ever call-up for the Brazilian senior side but it is so far unclear whether or not he will be fit for the Selecao's World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia.
Despite the tricky winger's absence, the Gunners are in capable hands considering Smith Rowe is the club's top scorer this season, netting 10 times across all competitions. The young playmaker has also struggled with fitness problems in recent times and the start against the West Midlands club is his first since last month's 2-0 win over Brentford.
Meanwhile, Leno has had to play second fiddle to Ramsdale this term and today's start is his first in the Premier League since August's 5-0 defeat against Manchester City.
