Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is hopeful that wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will recover from injury in time for their home match against Fulham on April 1, following a series of disappointing results in the Premier League title race.
Both players are still nursing hamstring injuries, while forwards Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have been ruled out for the season. Arsenal’s attack has struggled in their absence, failing to score in a 1-0 defeat to West Ham United and a goalless draw against Nottingham Forest.
Arteta emphasized that even if Saka and Martinelli return after the international break, they will need to be eased back into action.
“I believe so, but we’ll have to monitor their progress over the next few weeks to ensure they take the right steps,” Arteta told reporters. “They’ve been sidelined for a long time, so we’ll need to reintegrate them gradually. They are improving but still have a way to go.”
A meeting is scheduled to assess their recovery, with Martinelli potentially returning before Saka. “Gabi might be back slightly earlier, but we’ll have to evaluate his progress over the next week or 10 days,” Arteta added.
Following the draw at Forest, Arsenal remain second in the league but now trail leaders Liverpool by 13 points.
Arteta’s focus now shifts to their Champions League round of 16 clash against PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday, where he must find a way to address the team’s attacking struggles.
“We have a day or two to analyze our options, especially against a team that plays with a low defensive block,” Arteta said.