Gabriel Martinelli’s Al Hilal return set for Al Ettifaq clash after injury

Gabriel Martinelli is expected to return for Al Hilal’s meeting with Al Ettifaq on 7 November after medical tests indicated that the Brazilian winger requires between five and seven days of rest.

Martinelli sustained the injury during Al Hilal’s 3-2 victory over Al Qadsiah in the Roshn Saudi League last Friday. The match was played at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam during the 11th round of the competition.

The 25-year-old subsequently missed Al Hilal’s AFC Champions League Elite fixture against Qatari side Al Shamal on Tuesday. Al Hilal lost that match 3-1 in the third round of the league phase.

Saudi journalist Hamad Al-Suwailhi said Martinelli’s absence against Al Shamal would not be his only spell on the sidelines. Speaking on the programme Dorina Ghair, he said the former Arsenal player would also miss Saturday’s game against Al Fateh.

That match is scheduled to take place at Kingdom Arena in the 12th round of the Roshn Saudi League. Al-Suwailhi also confirmed that Martinelli would remain unavailable when Al Hilal host UAE club Shabab Al Ahli on Tuesday.

The AFC Champions League Elite match will also be played at Kingdom Arena and forms part of the fourth round of the league phase.

Martinelli is therefore set to resume his involvement with Al Hilal against Al Ettifaq on 7 November, in the 13th round of the Roshn Saudi League.

The winger joined Al Hilal from Arsenal during the summer transfer window and has made eight appearances for the club since moving to Kingdom Arena. He has scored six goals in those matches.