Goal-Shy Arsenal: Arteta’s Plan for Saka and Martinelli return

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed hope that wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will be available for selection after the international break, as the Gunners seek to address their recent attacking struggles. Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes have suffered a significant blow in recent days, with a 1-0 home defeat to West Ham followed by a 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.

Saka and Martinelli are currently recovering from hamstring injuries, while forwards Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are sidelined for the remainder of the season. The absence of these key attacking players has contributed to Arsenal’s recent lack of goals. They have slipped to 13 point behind leaders, Liverpool.

Speaking after the draw at the City Ground, Arteta acknowledged the need for caution regarding the return of Saka and Martinelli. “I think so, but again let’s see how they evolve in the next few weeks to make the right steps,” he told reporters, referring to their potential availability for the match against Fulham on April 1st.

“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.”

Arsenal’s makeshift attack, featuring Leandro Trossard and Mikel Merino, struggled to create clear-cut chances against both West Ham and Nottingham Forest. Arteta will now turn his attention to the Champions League, with a last-16 first-leg tie against PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday. He emphasized the need to find solutions to his team’s goalscoring problems. “We have another day or two now to think before the PSV game, all the options that we have especially against a team that is in a low block,” Arteta said. The return of Saka and Martinelli, even in a limited capacity, would provide a significant boost to Arsenal ‘s attacking options.