Latest Arsenal injury news as Bukayo Saka hope emerges with major Mikel Arteta update

Arsenal will hope their two-week hiatus from Premier League football will allow the injury situation to ease.

The Gunners go into March's international break on the back of a 1-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday afternoon. Mikel Merino scored the winning goal, which saw Arsenal claim all three points at the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta's side are now 12 points behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League title race, having now played the same number of matches. Arsenal have just nine top-flight fixtures left to play this season before the campaign draws to a close, as well as having a Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid on the horizon.

Arsenal were without four players for their victory vs Chelsea on Sunday. Bukayo Saka remains side-lined with a hamstring injury that he picked up back in December, which forced the England international to undergo surgery.

Saka has since been stepping up his recovery and is nearing a return to action. After the win over Chelsea, Arteta provided an update on the 23-year-old's recovery and hinted that he could feature after March's break.

"Yes. He has got a very good chance," said Arteta during an interview with Sky Sports - when asked if Saka has a possibility of returning after the round of international fixtures. Arsenal will play Fulham at the Emirates on April 1, and it remains to be seen if Saka will be part of their matchday squad.

Gabriel Martinelli is, meanwhile, in the early stages of his return after a month-long lay-off with a hamstring injury. After making cameo appearances against Manchester United and PSV Eindhoven, the Brazilian was handed a start against Chelsea and played 79 minutes before being substituted and replaced by Ethan Nwaneri.

Kai Havertz (hamstring), Gabriel Jesus (knee) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) are, however, all side-lined for the remainder of the season with their respective injury concerns.

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