Mikel Arteta gives update on when Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will return from injury for Arsenal

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Arsenal’s faltering attack is desperately missing the impact of their injured stars, particularly Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

The Gunners drew with Nottingham Forest in the Premier League in midweek, coming as their second consecutive match without scoring.

It has seen the title seemingly slip out of their hands, with a 13-point gap now emerging to league leaders Liverpool.

Arsenal will still be keen to end the season strong with a top-four spot as well as a deep run in the Champions League.

Plenty of that could depend on players returning to action, with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli two of those who are needed right away.

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Mikel Arteta on Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli injury returns

Bukayo Saka picked up a hamstring tear injury, with the star requiring surgery before facing a long spell on the sidelines.

Just shortly after, Gabriel Martinelli tore his hamstring too, though he faces a shorter amount of time on the sidelines and no surgery.

There had been some hope that the pair would return for Arsenal sooner rather than later, but the wait seems set to go on.

When asked whether both wingers would be back before the international break in March, Mikel Arteta said: “I don’t think so, no.”

When asked about the possibility after the break, he said: “I think so, but again, let’s see how they evolve in the next few weeks to make the right steps as well.

“And then after that, they’ve been out for a long, long time, so we’re going to have to integrate them as well, probably gradually. So they’re evolving well, but they’re still a bit far.”

It’s not quite the news that fans would’ve hoped for when it comes to a possible return for both Saka and Martinelli, with some big games still to come.

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Which games will Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli miss?

There will be at least four games that Saka and Martinelli will miss by not being available for Arsenal before the international break.

Both Champions League ties against PSV Eindhoven will be crucial matches that they miss, with the hope that they may be back for the quarter-finals at least if they make it.

Premier League ties against rivals Manchester United and Chelsea will also be without the pair, which comes as a slight blow, though the race for the title seems over.

It remains to be seen just how up to speed they could be in making a return to action after the international break, if they can feature.