Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is eagerly awaiting an update on the fitness of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, hoping for some much-needed good news as the club fights to stay in the Premier League title race.
Both Saka and Martinelli have been sidelined with hamstring injuries, with Saka even undergoing surgery before Christmas. However, there’s hope that the duo could return after the upcoming international break, giving the Gunners a crucial boost.
Arteta is set to meet with Arsenal’s medical team on Thursday to assess their recovery. When asked if they could be back in early April, he remained cautiously optimistic.
“I think so, but let’s see how they evolve in the next few weeks to make the right steps,” Arteta said. “They’ve been out for a long time, so we have to integrate them gradually. They’re improving, but they’re still a bit far off.”
According to the Spanish boss, Martinelli could be back before Saka, but his exact return date will depend on how he progresses over the next 10 days.
Arsenal’s Attack in Crisis
Arsenal’s title challenge has hit a major roadblock, with the team struggling to score in their last two league matches. After a disappointing 1-0 loss to West Ham, they failed to break down Nottingham Forest, settling for a frustrating 0-0 draw.
The Gunners have been hit hard by injuries, with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz also sidelined, further depleting their attacking options. Midfielder Jorginho emphasized the need for the team to step up.
“We need to find solutions to score, create more chances, take more shots,” Jorginho told the club’s official website. “Everyone needs to do a bit more for the team. The effort is there, and we have to keep pushing.”
With Arsenal now 13 points behind league leaders Liverpool, the pressure is on for Arteta to find a way through the injury crisis and reignite the Gunners’ title hopes.
