Mikel Arteta is hoping for positive news on and later this week.

The duo have both been absent in recent weeks due to hamstring injuries, with Saka .

They have been joined in the treatment room by and , both of whom have sustained season-ending injuries since the turn of the year to leave the Gunners painfully short on attacking options.

It's been a chastening week for Arteta and Arsenal, who have seen at the summit - but news that Saka and Martinelli could be back in action after next month's international break will come as a welcome boost.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

Arteta is set for a meeting with medical staff on Thursday but was asked if the duo could return in early April, to which he replied: “I think so but again let’s see how they evolve in the next few weeks to make the right steps and then after that, they’ve been out for a long, long time, so we’re going to have to integrate them as well gradually.

“They are evolving well but they’re still a bit far.

“We have a meeting tomorrow to discuss where they are, especially Gabi, who probably has a chance before Bukayo to come in, but how soon that is, we’ll have to see how it evolves in the next week or 10 days.”

While the return of Saka and Martinelli would significantly help a team who have struggled for goals since putting five past at the start of the month, the Gunners' title bid now looks beyond saving.

Arsenal's failure to find a way past on Wednesday night opened the door for to further extend their advantage at the top of the table.

But Arteta insisted their season was still alive post-match, saying: "It's about what we can do. It was like this a week before, two weeks before, three months before. Today we dropped two points which is very painful, we have the , a beautiful competition in front of us.

"I'm very disappointed not to win, the standard was different to the previous game with the energy and the willingness to make things happen.

"We dominated the game, apart from one experience in the second half and one or two giveaways which allowed them to run. Apart from that nothing. When we opened them up we lacked the quality in the final pass and delivery and be more efficient."

and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our