Arsenal and Tottenham stars called up for international duty after fresh

Arsenal and Tottenham stars called up for international duty after fresh injury updates
The pair are on course to face-off during the international break

Cristian Romero and Gabriel Martinelli could renew hostilities during the international break
AFP via Getty Images
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
8 minutes ago
Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings
I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli and Tottenham defender Cristian Romero have been selected for international duty later this month by Brazil and Argentina respectively.

Martinelli’s inclusion is somewhat of a surprise given, last week, Mikel Arteta appeared to rule the Brazilian out until after the international break with a hamstring injury sustained in the 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final second leg loss to Newcastle last month.

Meanwhile, Romero is included by Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni despite not having played a game for Spurs since December.

It should be noted that this it a preliminary squad that has been named by the current World Champions. It will eventually be cut down, so it remains to be seen if the Tottenham defender makes the final cut.

A persistent thigh injury has disrupted the centre-back’s season as he’s made just 14 appearances across all competitions so far.

The last of which came in the 4-3 defeat at home to Chelsea a couple of months ago as he pulled up 15 minutes into his return to action following a previous spell on the sidelines.

Read More
Saka talks and five big issues facing new Arsenal sporting director
Saka talks and five big issues facing new Arsenal sporting director

Kroenke watches Arsenal training before huge Champions League trip
Kroenke watches Arsenal training before huge Champions League trip

PSV vs Arsenal: Prediction, kick-off time, team news, odds, h2h
PSV vs Arsenal: Prediction, kick-off time, team news, odds, h2h

SponsoredSatisfy your wanderlust with stellar travel ideas for the year ahead
Satisfy your wanderlust with stellar travel ideas for the year ahead

Now, Romero has returned to first-team training with Spurs, and is on course to be fit and available for selection for the Europa League last-16 decider against AZ Alkmaar a week on Thursday.

Speaking recently, Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou delivered a fresh timeline for Romero’s return along with Micky van de Ven and Dominic Solanke.

Getting Up at 5 AM Every Day: I tried it for a week and by day five…
Getting Up at 5 AM Every Day: I tried it for a week and by day five…
Thousands swear by the morning routine in The 5 AM Club book. I gave it a go to see what all the fuss is about.
Blinkist Magazine
“The first European game I’d say outside chance for any three of them but certainly they’ll be back training fully by then and then we’ve got Bournemouth on the weekend and I reckon much better odds for that.

Injury blow: Cristian Romero
Action Images via Reuters
“And definitely, by the second European game they should all be available to play.

“Dom’s the only one where we’ve got to be careful because he’s ahead of schedule so I don’t want push that in case we need to pull the reins in a bit but with Romero and Van de Ven that’s the plan at this stage.

“We’ve a little window where hopefully we can get something into them and still got two European games and three league games between now and the international break so I really want them up and running by then.”

Argentina host Brazil in Buenos Aires on 26 March (12am GMT) in a World Cup qualifier that could pit Romero against Martinelli if both players make the final cut of their respective squads.